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iLuibenm ^imstertmit of ^ntnsylbania 
aitb JVbjamti States 




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Copyright, 1923 
By 

H. S. KIDD 



WILLIAM S. RHODE PUBLISHING CO. 
KUTZTOWN AND READING, PA. 


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^V"%ERKS county has more Lutherans than the total 
41 4 membership in the United States of anyone of 
twenty-three of the fifty-two recognized denomina¬ 
tions. Twelve of the smaller denominations combined do 
not equal in numerical strength the Lutherans in Berks 
county. 

This volume is written to preserve from oblivion the 
acts of a noble body of loyal Christian pastors and mem¬ 
bers who lived in Berks county during the last two hundred 
years and more, and who worshiped in the one hundred 
Lutheran churches in the county. 

This volume does not assume to be a complete history 
of the events of note as many of the facts are buried as well 
as those who would remember them. Nor should one ex¬ 
pect to find herein full histories of the various congregations 
in the county as each one of the older congregations could 
alone fill a volume more bulky than this, where the material 
is preserved. 

In 1898 when the Ministerium of Pennsylvania cele¬ 
brated the 150th Anniversary of its organization all pastors 
were asked to prepare and place into the archives historical 
sketches of their respective congregations. Because of a 
lack of material concerning the early events and possibly a 
lack of interest in the past, with a lack of a true apprecia¬ 
tion of the value of the then present, it happened that few 
or none of the histories of our congregations were sub¬ 
mitted. 

Rev. J. W. Early, of Reading, whose interest, research 
and ability were recognized, was asked to prepare and sub¬ 
mit such sketches. He undertook the work and by 1904 had 
gathered considerable material which by action of the Read¬ 
ing Conference was to be incorporated in a volume. For 
some reason it was never published. At the request of the 
conference this material then appeared in a series of articles 
in the “Reading Times” from July 2 to November 8, 1907. 


I 




3 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


After Rev. Early’s death in 1918 the Reading Conference 
appointed a committee to consider the question of publish¬ 
ing “Early’s Notes”. Various difficulties presented them¬ 
selves and nothing further was done until in 1920 when 
Revs. F. K. Bernd, M. L. Zweizig, D. D., and H. S. Kidd 
were appointed a committee to again look into the matter 
and bring some recommendation. Before the plans of this 
committee were matured, the chairman, Rev. Bernd, died in 
May, 1921. At the fall meeting of the conference in 1921 
the other two members of the committee made some defin¬ 
ite proposals not all of which were acceptable to the con¬ 
ference whereupon the Rev. M. L. Zweizig, D. D., resigned. 
Rev. H. S. Kidd was then made the chairman and the Revs. 
C. G. Beck and W. F. Bond were named on the committee. 

Much of the material in the notes left by Rev. Early 
was put into typewritten form by the chairman, a task of 
no mean proportions. It was then distributed to the pas¬ 
tors concerned who by action of conference were asked to 
submit historical sketches of their congregations. This 
was done in nearly all cases. The pastors were asked to 
verify what was supplied and add what was missing. The 
respective pastors deserve the credit for their congrega¬ 
tional sketches, the material for which in many cases was 
difficult to gather. 

Rev. C. G. Beck, of the committee, wrote five of the 
congregational histories besides his own. He also edited 
all of the sketches covering the congregations of the Read¬ 
ing Conference. Rev. J. L. Deaton wrote three congrega¬ 
tional sketches besides his own and Rev. D. F. Longacre 
wrote one. Rev. Dr. C. C. Boyer wrote the sketch of the 
Shalters congregation now vacant. 

Rev. C. E. Kistler wrote the article “A Brief History 
of Lutherans in Berks County”. He also wrote the history 
of the Jerusalem Church, Albany Township, the article 
“Sunday Schools” and compiled the list of “Pastors 1700- 
1923” from Early’s “Lutheran Ministers of Berks County” 
and the minutes of synod. The article “The Local Lutheran 
Church and the Church at Large” was written by Rev. Dr. 
Pfatteicher. Mr. M. A. Gruber of Washington, D. C., wrote 


4 


LUTHERANS JN BERKS COUNTY 


“The Tulpehocken Confusion''. Rev. Dr. P. C. Croll wrote 
most of the material under the heading* “Congregations in 
Berks County Formerly of the General Synod’*. Rev. H. B. 
Ritter wrote “The Molatton Church”. Rev. A. M. Weber 
wrote “The Orphan’s Home”. Many of the facts and in a 
few cases the copy for “Brief Life Sketches” were taken 
from Early’s, “Lutheran Ministers of Berks County,” 1902. 
The “Biographical Record” of the Philadelphia Seminary, 
1923, was also freely consulted. 

Rev. W. F. Bond acted as secretary and treasurer for 
the committee and with the help of others interested fur¬ 
nished the material for “The Reading Conference”, “Wom¬ 
en’s Missionary Society,” “Luther League,” and “Brother¬ 
hood.” 

Grateful acknowledgement is hereby made of the co¬ 
operation of the pastors without whose assistance the pro¬ 
duction of this volume would hardly have been possible. 

Material not especially designated above has been com¬ 
piled or written by the chairman who has also had charge 
of the voluminous correspondence of the committee and the 
many details necessary in the production of a volume of this 
kind. He has given the spare time of two years and some 
time that was not spare time in order to accomplish this 
work. 

The proof has been read carefully. In this work the 
committee was assisted by the Rev. D. F. Longacre of 
Stouchsburg. In spite of every precaution it is hardly pos¬ 
sible that no errors appear. 

It is the hope of this committee that it humble efforts 
requiring only the genius of patience and hard work may to 
some measure at least be satisfactory to the Reading Con¬ 
ference whose honored representatives we are and that this 
book may from the story of the past bring to the reader 
an inspiration for service in the building of God’s Kingdom., 

H. S. KIDD. 


One Hundred Seventy Fifth Anniversary Day, 
Organization of Ministerium of Penna. 
Womelsdorf, Pa. August 26th, 1923. 


5 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


Frontispiece Page 

Berks County Views. 8 

City of Reading. 10 

Map of Berks County. 12 

Lutheran Graphs. 12 

Map of Reading. 14 

Conrad Weiser, etc..:. 16 

Governor John Andrew Schulze. 18 

Mayor Peter Filbert. 19 

Antiques . 20 

First Palatines’ Church, New York. 21 

Reading Conference .30-31 

Church, Buildings (Present, Former, Future), Interior 

Views (Old and Modern), Tents; Monuments; 

Tombstones, Etc.35-378 

Martin Luther . 387 

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg. 388 

Muhlenberg’s Sons . 389 

One Hundred Pastors.390-440 

First Church in Berks County. 441 

Topton Orphans’ Home Views.457-470 

Father Heyer, Veteran Missionary. 476 

Berks Hall, Muhlenberg College. 484 


6 






















TABLE OF CONTENTS 


Frontispiece Page 

Preface . 3 

List of Illustrations ......... 6 

Table of Contents . 7 

Berks County. 9 

City of Reading. 11 

Lutheran Graphs . 12 

Location of Congregations. 13 

Brief History of Lutherans in Berks. 21 

The Reading Conference . 32 

Parish Register . 33 

Congregations of Reading Conference.35-355 

Other Congregations in Berks (Lutheran).355-378 

Pastors—Chronological Order, 1701-1923. 379 

Muhlenberg and His Sons. 388 

Brief Life Sketches of 100 Pastors...390-440 

The Molatton Church (Douglassville). 441 

The Tulpehocken Confusion. 446 

The Orphans’ Home at Topton. 457 

Sunday Schools . 471 

Luther League. 473 

Women’s Missionary Society. 475 

Brotherhood . 477 

Lutheran Church, Local and at Large. 479 

German Settlers (Muhlenberg’s Reports). 485 

Front Pages of Old Church Records. 488 

Declaration and Agreement. 490 

School Code of 1743. 492 

Farewell Poem to Missionary Schulze. 494 

Index . 499 


7 































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



Berks County is noted for its prominent hills, productive fields and 

prosperous towns. 



Reith’s Church cemetery near Stouchsburg. First church built on 
this spot before 1727. Also the burial place of J. Conrad Weiser, Sr., 
the Great-Grandfather of the sons of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg. 

8 





















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


BERKS COUNTY 

ERKS county was the seventh county organized in 
the state of Pennsylvania. It was erected in 1752 
when its northern boundary was the State of New 
York. Formed out of territory which formerly belonged 
to Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Chester counties it has 
since yielded its territory to form twelve other counties 
to the north. The population of this immense territory in 
1752 has been estimated at 12,000. 

The Germans were decidedly in the majority but when 
it came to the selection of a name it seems the English in¬ 
fluence was strongest as the county was named after Berk¬ 
shire in England, the home of William Penn. 

The shape of the county is roughly that of a diamond 
and its area about 900 square miles. The land is of a roll¬ 
ing character, interspersed with hills and mountains, and 
intersected by numerous streams. 

The Schuylkill river flows through the middle of the 
county, entering it about 10 miles west of the most northern 
point it flows south to the city of Reading and thence in a 
south-easterly direction where as it leaves the county it 
becomes the dividing line between Chester and Montgomery 
counties. Its branches resemble those of a tree flowing into 
it from the fertile valleys for which the county is noted. 

The only city in the county is Reading with a popula¬ 
tion of more than 100,000. About the same number of in¬ 
habitants are scattered through the 44 townships, 22 bor¬ 
oughs, and 100 villages. 

Thirty-four churches in the county antedated its erec¬ 
tion in 1752. Montgomery says, “The Lutheran religion 
was predominant in the county, both with the Swedes and 
Germans to the east of the Schuylkill, and with the Ger¬ 
mans to the west. Some of the Germans were of the Re¬ 
formed religion. The churches built by these denomina¬ 
tions were mostly ‘union’ churches.’’ 


9 



LUTHERANS 


BERKS 


I N 


COUNTY 



10 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


CITY OF READING 

EADING, the county seat of Berks County, is the 
namesake of Reading, the county seat of Berkshire, 
England, the home of the Penns. William Penn’s 
two sons, Thomas and Richard, caused the purchase of the 
present site of the city and laid out the town in 1748. That 
part of the town for two blocks north and south of Penn 
street was then laid out as the same now exists. We cannot 
but admire the foresight of the founders which gave us the 
beautiful Penn square and Penn street. The town lots were 
sold at public sale, and many of the names of the first pur¬ 
chasers are those of honored ancestors of our citizens. In 
the conditions of sale it was provided that houses must be 
erected within a certain time, thus forming a nucleus of 
what has since become a “City of Homes”. 

In the line of municipal life, Reading made its first 
step, when on September 12, 1783, it became a borough. Its 
next step was on March 16, 1847, when it was incorpor¬ 
ated into a city. Today it is the fourth city in the state in 
point of population and the fourth in manufacturing. 

Few landmarks remain to remind us of the early days. 
On the northwest corner of Fifth and Washington streets 
was built in 1760 a tavern stand, which is today occupied 
by retail stores. At the northwest corner of Fifth and 
Penn streets the “Federal Inn’ was erected in 1763 at which 
General Washington was a guest in 1794; since 1814 it 
has been occupied by the Farmers National Bank. Trinity 
Lutheran Church at the northwest corner of Sixth and 
Washington streets, stands today as it did when finished in 
1793, a handsome specimen of colonial architecture. 

See Cut on Opposite Page. Courtesy of Chamber of Commerce. 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


LUTHERAN GRAPHS 


THE WORLD. 



CHRISTIANS, 
600,000,000. 
ALL PEOPLE. 
1,800,000,000. 


UNITED STATES. 



CHRISTIANS. 
43,000,000. 
ALL PEOPLE. 
107,000,000. 


CHRISTIAN WORLD. 



PROTESTANTS. 

200,000,000. 

CHRISTIANS.. 

600,000,000. 


CHRISTIAN U.S. 



PROTESTANTS. 

27,256,000. 

CHRISTIANS. 

43,000,000. 


PROTESTANT WORLD. 



LUTHERANS. 
85,000,000. 
PROTESTANTS. 
200,000,000. 


PROTESTANT U. S. 



LUTHERANS. 
2,500,000. 
PROTESTANTS. 
27,256,000. 


BERKS COUNTY. 



CHRISTIANS. 

150,000. 
ALL PEOPLE. 
200,000. 


CHRISTIAN BERKS. PROTESTANT BERKS. 



PROTESTANTS. LUTHERANS. 

125,000. 50,000. 

CHRISTIANS. PROTESTANTS. 

150,000. 125,000. 


12 





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Map of Berks County showing location of Churches. See index on following page. For Reading Churches see next map. 
























LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


1. Salem, Millersburg. 

2. St. John’s, Mt. Aetna. 

3. Rehrersburg Lutheran. 

4. Trinity, Rehrersburg. 

5. St. John’s, Host. 

6. St. Paul’s, Milbach, Leb¬ 
anon County. 

7. St. Elias, Newmanstown. 

8. Christ, Stouchsburg. 

9. Zion, Marion Township. 

10. Zion, Womelsdorf. 

11. Trinity, Robesonia. 

12. St. Daniel’s, ^Heidelberg 
Township. 

13. North Heidelberg Church. 

14. St. Paul’s, Tulpehocken. 

15. Zion, Strausstown. 

16. Frieden’s, Shartlesville. 

17. St. Michael’s Church. 

18. Belleman’s Church. 

19. Frieden’s, Bernville. 

20. St. Thomas Union. 

21. Bern, Bern Township. 

22. Epler’s Church. 

23. Trinity, Wernersville. 

24. St. John’s, Sinking Spring. 

25. Kissinger’s, Spring Town¬ 
ship. 

26. Yocum’s Church. 

27. Grace, Shillington. 

28. St. John’s, Mohnton. 

29. Trinity, Gouglersville. 

30. Allegheny’s, Alleghenyville 

31. Robeson, Robeson Town¬ 
ship. 

32. St. James’, Geigertown. 

33. St. John’s, Gibraltar. 

34. St. Mark’s, Birdsboro. 

35. St. Paul’s, Amityville. 

36. Schwarzwald Church. 

37. Zion, Alsace Township. 

38. Salem, Shalters. 

39. St. John’s, Pricetown. 


40. Hinnerschitz Church. 

41. Trinity, Leesport. 

42. St. John’s, Gernant’s. 

43. St. Timothy’s, Mohrsville. 

44. St. Luke’s, Shoemakers- 
ville. 

45. Zion, Perry Township. 

46. St. John’s, Hamburg. 

47. St. Paul’s, Windsor Town¬ 
ship. 

48. New Bethel, Albany Town¬ 
ship. 

49. Jerusalem, Albany Town¬ 
ship. 

50. Frieden’s, Albany Town¬ 
ship. 

51. Frieden’s, Lenhartsville. 

52. Bethel-Zion, Grimsville. 

53. Zion, Moselem. 

54. Becker’s-St. Peter’s. 

55. St. Paul’s, Fleetwood. 

56. Maiden Creek, Blandon. 

57. St. John’s, Kutztown. 

58. Trinity, Kutztown. 

59. Zion, Maxatawny. 

60. Trinity, Bowers. 

61. Trinity, Topton. 

62. St. Paul’s, Mertztown. 

63. Longswamp Church. 

64. Christ, Rockland Township. 

65. New Jerusalem Church. 

66. Huff’s, Hereford Township. 

67. St. Paul’s, Pike Township. 

68. St. Joseph’s, Hill Church. 

69. Christ, Oley Township. 

70. Frieden’s, Friedensburg. 

71. Trinity, Bechtelsville. 

72. St. John’s, Boyertown. 

73. St. Paul’s, Lyons. 

74. New Jerusalem, Greenwich 
Township. 

75. Christ, Little Tulpehocken. 


13 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



MAP OF READING 
Showing Location of Churches. 
See index on next page. 


14 





































































































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


INDEX TO MAP 


1 . 

2 . 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6 . 

7. 

8 . 
9. 

10 . 

11 . 

12 . 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20 . 


Alsace, Kutztown Road. 

Faith, Mt. Penn. 

Peace, Riverside. 

Grace, South Eleventh. 

Holy Spirit, Fourth and Windsor. 

Hope, Front and Greenwich. 

St. James, Fifth and Chestnut. 

St. Johannes, Walnut near Sixth. 

St. Luke’s, Ninth near Green. 

St. Mark’s, Tenth and Windsor. 

St. Paul’s, Sixteenth and Perkiomen Avenue. 
Trinity, Sixth and Washington. 

St. Matthew’s, Fifth and Elm. 

St. Peter’s, Twelfth and Windsor. 

Bethany, Stony Creek Mills. 

Bethany, West Reading. 

Christ, Glenside. 

Atonement, Wyomissing. 

Redeemer, Oakbrook. 

Calvary, Rosedale. 


1 . 

2 . 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6 . 

7. 

8 . 
9. 

10 . 

11 . 

12 . 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20 . 



15 









LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 




Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Weiser, two Berks County Lutherans of two 

hundred years ago. 

Conrad Weiser served as Church Councilman and as lay reader. 
A bronze tablet placed on his former home as shown on next page 
contains the following inscription: “Home of Conrad Weiser 1729- 
1760, Churchman, Counsellor, Soldier, Indian-Interpreter, Agent, 
Diplomat and First Judge of Berks County. Here were held many 
conferences with Indian chiefs, missionaries, colonial governors and 
leaders. Here were reared his children of whom the eldest daughter, 
Anna Maria, married Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the “Patriarch 
of the Lutheran Church in America.” 

Here he died July 13th, 1760 and lies buried in the family plot 
nearby together with a number of friendly Indian chiefs. 

He so ably served the colonies as Indian-interpreter and diplomat 
that he is regarded as the pivotal man who brought this country 
under Anglo-Saxon versus Latin civilization. 

“ ‘Posterity cannot forget his services.’ 

“President George Washington.” 

Erected by the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club and unveiled 
during the 200th anniversary of the settlement of the Tulpehocken 
Community, June 29th, 1923. 


16 













LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



W eiser home near Womelsdorf 

Here Muhlenberg played the family organ and sang melod¬ 
iously, listened to by the entire Weiser family but especially 
by Anna, the eldest daughter, whom he led forth from this home 
as his bride. 



Weiser Graves 


17 












LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



GOVERNOR JOHN ANDREW SCHULZE 

Pastor of Lutheran Churches at and about Womelsdorf, 1796- 
1802; State Legislator 1806, again 1821; State Senator, 1822; Gov¬ 
ernor of Pennsylvania, 1823-1829. 

(See page 432) 


18 














LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



MAYOR PETER FILBERT 

Rev. Peter Filbert was pastor of Lutheran Churches in southern 
Berks, 1814-1829. First Mayor of Reading, in 1847. 

(See page 401) 


19 











1. “Klinglesaecklin,” jingling bags used to lift offering. 

2. Gas jet lighter. 

3. Old style German door latch and lock. 

4. Model of Trinity Church, Reading, a type of architecture used 
generally for a certain period. 

5. Church Record showing front page. 

6. Foot-warmer used before stoves were installed. 

7. Paten or plate for communion bread. Pewter. 

8. Chalice or cup for communion wine. Pewter. 

9. Flagons or containers for communion wine. Pewter. 

10. 12, 14. Pewter offering plates. 

13. Deed of Thomas Penn and Richard Penn for land of Trinity 
Church, Reading. 

11,15. Offering boxes carved out of wood. 

20 





















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


A BRIEF HISTORY OF LUTHERANS 
IN BERKS COUNTY 

EFORE 1700, Lutherans within the present limits of 
j Berks County attended church services at Falkner’s 
Swamp. The first Lutheran Congregation north of 
Falkner’s Swamp was begun by the Swedes, at Molatton 
(Douglassville), in 1701. Swedish pastors were sent here 
until 1742. In the meantime several other congregations 
sprang up on what is now Reading Conference territory. 
Accordingly Berks County Lutheranism has a continuous 
history of two centuries and a quarter. 

The early church buildings in this vicinity were crude 
and uncomfortable. They were usually small log or stone 
structures. Tiles or shingles covered the roofs. Where 
there were floors other than the bare ground, they were 
of paved brick. The seats often consisted of logs laid in 
rows. There were no stoves. Their introduction into 
churches about 125 years ago aroused serious opposition. 
In spite of these discomforts, the services were very long. 
The sermon itself was unsatisfactory, unless it lasted 2 
hours. When the preacher came, at intervals lasting from 
one to three months, the devout were very eager to hear 
the preached Word. Frequently he lined out the hymns and 
led the singing. 

With the settlements of those days widely scattered, 
pastors had to come long distances to visit their small 
flocks . Sometimes they were the first to cut trails through 
the pathless wilderness, while going on foot or horseback 
from place to place. Minnig’s Path was named after the 
pastor who came across the Blue Mountains for many 
years to meet his preaching appointments at Strauss- 
town. Occasionally worshippers would come all the 
way from Lyken’s Valley to attend services at Tulpe- 
hocken. Rev. U. P. Heilman, in “Our Church Paper”, gives 
an account of a resident in Oley who was in the habit of 
walking to Philadelphia to church and back, on Sundays. 

Soon after the twenty-three families from the Scho¬ 
harie Valley arrived in the Tulpehocken region, in 1723, 


21 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



THE FIRST PALATINES’ CHURCH AT NEYVBURG, N. Y. 

they decided to erect the Reed's church, which was com¬ 
plete in 1727. The piety of the early settler of Berks 
County was such as to call for immediate provisions for 
public worship, wherever a new community was established. 
From 1730 to 1750, the number of Lutheran congregations 
increased so rapidly that it was impossible to find enough 
suitable pastors for them all. While this eagerness for the 
preaching of the Gospel induced unworthy men to offer 
their services, it also appealed to devout ministers who 
came across the ocean to feed hungry souls with the bread 
of life. The firm foundations that enabled Berks County 
Lutheranism to weather the storms of centuries, without 
impeding its progress, were laid by European missionaries. 

In 1728, John Casper Stoever, student of theology, 
and his son bearing the same name, but registering as a 
missionary, landed at Philadelphia. A year later the 
younger Stoever began his long career of gathering con¬ 
gregations, building churches, and starting church records. 
Among the congregations of Berks County founded by him, 
were: Little Tulpehocken, 1729; Hill, 1730; and Frieden’s, 


22 





































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Bernville, 1745. His work extended into Lebanon, Lan¬ 
caster and York counties. He is reputed to have organized 
more congregations, during his 51 years in the ministry, 
than any other pastor of the Lutheran church in America. 



CONRAD VvNUER MON LAMENT A'l 




In response to the urgent appeals for pecuniary aid 
and pastoral oversight, Prof. Dr. Franke of Halle induced 
Dr. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg to embark for America, 
in 1742. As early as 1743 he visited Tulpehocken. Here 
he married, in 1745, Anna Marie, oldest daughter of Con¬ 
rad Weiser. Thereby the life and family of the Patriarch 
of the Lutheran Church in America became inseparably 
linked with the history of Berks County. Of this mar¬ 
riage he wrote: “The Lord hath regarded my prayers and 
granted me a young woman who is pure of heart, pious, 
unpretentious, meek and active”. On Muhlenberg’s arri¬ 
val, there were, besides those churches already named, 


23 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Lutheran congregations at Alsace, Schwartzwald, Moselem 
and Allemaengel. 



BASE OF MONUMENT 

Other missionaries who came from Halle through the 
influence of Muhlenberg, were J. Nicolas Kurtz, D. D., pas 
tor of Tulpehocken 1746-62, and his brother William Kurtz 
who assisted him and later preached at Robeson; Chris¬ 
topher Em. Schultze, from 1771 to 1809, pastor of Tulpe¬ 
hocken, Rehrersburg, St. Daniel’s, Womelsdorf, Bernville, 
Little Tulpehocken and Schaefferstown; John H. Schaum, 
from 1760 to 1778, pastor of Hill, Lobachsville, Moselem, 
Ontelaunee, Maxatawny, and Rockland where his remains 
lie buried; John Voigt, pastor of Hill church, 1765-85. 
Muhlenberg’s high regard for Halle induced him to send his 
three sons across the Atlantic to be educated there. Two 
of these, Frederick A. and H. Ernst, appeared frequently 
in Lutheran pulpits throughout Berks county. The former 
organized the Ministerium of New York, in 1774. He 
afterwards entered politics and became the first speaker 
of the national House of Representatives. 

With the founding of Trinity church, Reading, in 1752 
began the practice of connecting country congregations 
to form a parish with the town church. Trinity itself con¬ 
tinued this practice for fully a century. It was followed by 
St. James’, St. John’s, St. Luke’s, and still obtains at St. 
Mark’s and Hope. Since the early beginnings of these 


24 









LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


and other congregations had their origin in Trinity, it is 
known in Reading as the mother church. During the first 
century of their existence Christ church, Tulpehocken, ex¬ 
ceeded Trinity, Reading, in importance. In those days, it 
was the mother church. Through the missionary zeal of 
its early pastors many congregations have been established. 

During the French and Indian War, church buildings 
along the frontier were at times used to store provisions 
and ammunitions. In a few instances there were port 
holes in the walls through which the approach of maraud¬ 
ing savages was watched and checked by rifle shots. St. 
Paul’s, in Windsor Township, apparently suffered from 
Indian depredations, which is an indication that it was 
used for military purposes. After the war, appeals were 
made from that section for aid to erect a new church. At 
this time there were, outside of the Tulpehocken region, 
churches at Belleman’s, Dunkel’s, New Bethel and Alle- 
maengel. All these suffered great hardships and members 
of the latter two were massacred. 

The churches that appeared in Berks County up to 
1760 were with a very few exceptions altogether Lutheran 
or Reformed. About that time the Union church became 
the habit. During the succeeding half century nearly all 
the purely denominational churches were made union as far 
as property rights and maintenance were concerned. No 
doubt the hardships and privations incurred by the French 
and Indian War made this step necessary in many in¬ 
stances. Union edifices were erected, at Amityville, in 
1753; Kutztown, 1755; St. Michael’s, 1769; Wessnersville, 
1770; Hamburg, 1770; Spies, 1774. A few of the stronger 
congregations, notably Atolher, Rehrersburg, and Christ, 
Stouchsburg, always remained distinctly Lutheran. The 
first century of Lutheran endeavor in Berks County has 
30 congregations to its credit. 

The American Revolution put a very serious check on 
the organization of new congregations and the building of 
new churches. The loyalty of the Lutheran church to the 
cause of the Colonies induced them to stake their all in 
the long struggle for liberty. Peter Muhlenberg, oldest 


25 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


son of the Patriarch of the Lutheran church in America, 
was a major-general and a member of Washington's staff 
in the continental army. “The Lord of hosts heard the 
cries of the distressed, and sent an angel for their deliv¬ 
erance”, exclaimed Muhlenberg while rejoicing over the 
victory at Trenton. But the political upheaval that swept 
his own sons from the ministry into public life greatly 
affected the entire church. The year 1790, however, marks 
the beginning of a great activity in the Lutheran churches 
of Berks County. Within a quarter of a century after that 
date almost every Lutheran congregation in the county 
either helped to erect, or by itself built, a new church. A 
number of the edifices of that period are still standing 
as monuments to the liberality and churchliness of the 
Lutherans in this section a century and a quarter ago. 

The great stream of Lutheran immigration during the 
18th century, and the consequent inability on the part of 
the Church to supply them everywhere with spiritual 
ministrations, exposed many of the early churches to im¬ 
postors. In their eagerness for some one to supply them 
with the means of grace, the people frequently accepted 
the proffered services of these men whom Muhlenberg 
in his reports called “vagabond preachers”. With the ex¬ 
ceptions of Gerhard Henckel, Tobias Wagner and Daniel 
Shoemaker, these independents were uneducated men and 
frequently^ without character. They accomplished little 
good and often created disturbances. At times they had 
control of considerable sections of the county. Fully half 
a dozen of them, under the leadership of J. C. Andraee, had 
formed an organization in opposition to synod. Much of 
the independent attitude and aloofness still held against 
synod, is an aftermath of their influence. Individual in¬ 
dependents ordained men to the ministry as late as 1866. 
Applications by men thus ordained for admission into 

i 

synod were rejected. 

The scarcity of pastors often made the exceedingly 
large parishes, for which Berks County was especially 
noted, a necessity. These extensive parishes invariably 
overlapped and frequently extended into neighboring 
counties. Many congregations in Berks were served by 


26 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


pastors residing far beyond its borders. Rev. Daniel 
Shoemaker at one time served 16 or more congregations 
scattered over three counties. Rev. T. T. Iaeger, who died 
in 1888, was pastor or regular supply of no less than 25 
congregations in the central and western parts of the 
county. Up to 1900, Rev. B. D. Zweizig served 10 con¬ 
gregations. Others at the same time included from 6 to 
8 congregations in their parishes. Indeed the unwilling¬ 
ness to have more frequent services and to agree to divi¬ 
sions of large parishes has for a long time stood in the 
way of changes. But in the last 25 years very commend¬ 
able progress has been made in making parishes smaller 
and more compact. This with the telephone and the auto¬ 
mobile enables the pastor, who is willing to live within 
the bounds of his parish, to be of immediate service to any 
of his parishioners. 

Many distinctions have been lavished on Berks County 
preachers. Having been educated men generally, there 
was an abundance of honorary degrees of almost every 
description conferred on them. Quite a few of them were 
called to professorships in colleges and theological semin¬ 
aries. A number of them became noted authors. Some 
entered politics and acquired national fame. Of the seven 
Seniors of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania in its long 
history, four were Berks County pastors. These were J. 
N. Kurtz, Christopher E. Schultze, William Beates and 
Jacob Fry. Besides these, C. F. Welden, G. F. Iaeger, Con¬ 
rad Miller, Jacob Miller, John W. Richards, F. J. F. Schantz, 
E. T. Horn and M. C. Horine also served as presidents of 
the Ministerium. 

Some of the most eminent ministers of the early 
Lutheran church in America took their brides from Berks 
county families. Muhlenberg’s marriage to Anna Maria 
Weiser has been referred to. John Casper Stoever was 
married to Catherine Merkel whose father, Christian Mer¬ 
kel, resided in Rockland. Rev. Dr. J. N. Kurtz took to wife 
Anna Elizabeth Seidel. Their youngest son was for many 
years the influential pastor of the Lutheran church at 
Baltimore. One of the daughters married Rev. Jacob Goer- 
ing who was known as a great preacher. 


27 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The Lutheran congregations of Berks have given to 
the Church no less than 50 ministers. The first of these 
was John Andrew Schutze, who became governor of Penn¬ 
sylvania. Among those who have spent all their years of 
service outside of the home county were: William M. Baum, 
D. D., born at Earlville, 1825, who served as president of 
the General Synod, 1873-5; Henry M. Bickel, D. D., born 
in Reading, 1827, pastor in Philadelphia and associate edi¬ 
tor of the Lutheran and Lutheran Observer; S. A. K. Fran¬ 
cis, D. D., born in Amity Township, 1839, pastor of Trinity 
church, Philadelphia, for nearly 50 years; Franklin S. Deit- 
rich, born in Albany Township and died in India, 1889. 
Among the living are: Milton J. Bieber, D. D., Field Mis¬ 
sionary in the Northwest; Levi F. Gruber, D. D., LL. D., 
St. Paul, Minn., author of “Creation ex Nihilo”; S. G. Trex- 
ler, D. D., President of the New York and New England 
Synod; A. L. Ramer, Ph. D., Superintendent of Slav Mis¬ 
sions. 

Fully one-third of the present pastors of the Reading 
Conference are natives of Berks. And twice that number 
are now laboring in the Lord's harvest field elsewhere. 
While the county is just about furnishing to the outside 
world the number of pastors that have come here from 
other localities, it will according to present prospects soon 
supply more preachers to the church than the Reading 
Conference itself needs. The prayers for more laborers 
in the Lord's harvest are being answered. 

A number of prominent ministers of the Lutheran 
church, who had no charges in Berks County, resided here 
at intervals. Dr. A. R. Horne was principal of the Key¬ 
stone State Normal School at Kutztown, 1872-77. Rev. 
Carl M. Jaeger, who served pastorates at Washington, 
Wilkesbarre, Pittsburg, Carlisle and Harrisburg, resided in 
Reading from 1869 to 1877. Frederick A. Muhlenberg, D. 
D., LL. D., great-grandson of H. M. Muhlenberg and grand¬ 
son of Rev. J. H. Schaum, who was professor of Greek in 
the University of Pennsylvania and president of Muhlen¬ 
berg and Thiel colleges, spent the last 8 years of his life 


28 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


in Reading, 1893-1901. During this time he frequently 
preached in churches of this city and vicinity. 

At least 4 languages, English, German, Swedish and 
French, were used in the Lutheran pulpits of Berks County. 
The last two named hardly endured beyond the middle of 
the 18th century. For more than a century, German was 
almost exclusively used at divine services by Lutheran 
congregations. The efforts to introduce English were in 
almost every instance bitterly contested. Serious oppo¬ 
sition in church councils and divisions in congregations 
were often brought about by the language question. The 
city of Reading has a number of congregations that came 
into being through it. But gradually the English services 
gained the ascendency. There is now no congregation in 
the conference whose services are all conducted in German. 
Approximately 75% of the churches have all services in 
English. 

The churches throughout the city and county have 
been wisely located, with few exceptions. Fully half of 
them have a continuous history of more than three-quar¬ 
ters of a century. Some of the very oldest are still among 
the most vigorous. Here the unabating power of the Gos¬ 
pel is clearly evidenced. Berks County Lutherans have no 
serious country church problem. The few Lutheran 
churches that went out of existence here had insurmount¬ 
able odds to contend with all through their history. The 
Molatton church fell into the hands of the Episcopalians. 
It is doubtful whether the Lutherans ever organized a con¬ 
gregation in the Episcopalian church, located long ago near 
Shillington, of which Hugh Jones gave them part owner¬ 
ship by bequest, in 1734. The small congregations that 
held forth at Womelsdorf, Strausstown and Pleasantville, 
could not long endure under the shadow of the older and 
stronger churches near by. 

There are now 93 well established Lutheran churches 
in Berks County, with a total confirmed membership of 
32,000. A more compact body of so large a number of 
Lutherans is hardly found in any other county in the United 
States. 


29 


LUTHERANS 


BERKS 


COUNTY 


I N 


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30 








READING CONFERENCE AT ST. LUKE’S, READING, APRIL 23, 1923 




























<Thc ^Rcabtng Olmtfm'iu'e 


oldest organization of Lutheran congregations in the United 
■ I States is the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. At its organiza- 
tion meeting held in Philadelphia in 1748 Berks county as now 
constituted was represented by two congregations, viz: Christ 
church, Stouchsburg, and Frieden’s, Bernville. As the Ministerium 
grew in the number of congregations and the territory covered by 
them, it became necessary to divide them into district conferences. 

These conferences were at first numbered. Berks county congrega¬ 
tions, within whose bounds lay the geographical and numerical centre 

of the Ministerium, and the congregations of Schuylkill county formed 
the Third District Conference. The marvelous growth from ten con¬ 
gregations in 1748 to 574 congregations at the present time with a 
baptized membership of 250,000 was attended with great problems of 
proper division of the congregations into districts. 


In 1893 upon the wise suggestion of Rev. Jacob Fry, D. D., then 
pastor of Trinity, Reading, the congregations were re-districted and 
named after the chief city of the district. Thus it happened, thirty 
years ago, that the Reading Conference came into existence with its 
territory corresponding with the county of Berks. 


In 1894 the number of pastors belonging to the Reading Con¬ 
ference was twenty-eight with an estimated confirmed membership 
of about 23,000. To-day there are 35 pastors with 34 parishes com¬ 
prising 86 congregations. Four Lutheran pastors with a total of 
seven congregations in Berks county do not yet belong to the Read¬ 
ing Conference as they were formerly connected with the General 
Synod. The number of baptized members is conservatively estimated at 
50,000. The confirmed number 33,000. Property valuations amount to 
$2,500,000 according to parochial reports but replacement values would 
increase this amount to about $10,000,000. There is a total debt of less 
than $150,000. The conference meets semi-annually, with the pastors 
and a layman from each parish as the accredited delegates. The 
present officers are the following: President, Rev. R. B. Lynch; 
Secretary, Rev. W. S. Dry; Treasurer, Rev. J. O. Schlenker. 


32 


PARISH REGISTER 


c 

cs 


Location 


Congregation 

Pastor 

• 

QJ 

S 

cH 

a 

0 

O 

Officers 

Teachers 

Scholars 

Alsace . 

. C. E. Kistler. 

1190 

70 

750 

St. Paul’s. 

. H. B. Ritter. . . . 


9 9 

1 7 

Frieden’s . 

. H. B. Ritter. 

401 

9 ^ 

1 4.9 

John s •««•••*» • 

. H. B. Ritter. 

67 

15 

82 

Trinity . . . .1 . 

. W. E. Wenner. 

175 

20 

310 

Bern . 

. J. W. Bittner (Shpplyj . 

329 

8 

98 

St. Mark’s. 

. W. F. Deibert. 

470 

35 

330 

St. James 1 ’. 

. W. F. Deibert. 

116 

14 

108 

Trinity .. . 

. W. F. Bond. 

147 

14 

147 

Huffs . 

. W. F. Bond. 

557 

25 • 

175 

Longswamp . 

. W. F. Bond. 

508 

20 

140 

New Jerusalem. 

. W. F. Bond. 

348 

19 

165 

St. .John/s. 

. A. M. Weber. 

1245 

66 

807 

Frieden’s . 

. L. R. Miller. 

146 

g 

75 


, L. R. Miller. 

26 

g 

40 

Belleman’s . 

. L. R. Miller. 

400 

12 

175 

St. Michael’s. ...... 

. L. R. Miller. 

875 

12 

200 

Bethel—Zion . . . 

. J. 0. Schlenker. 

346 

8 

80 

New' Jerusalem. 

. J. 0. Schlenker. 

188 

6 

80 

New Bethel. 

. J. 0. Schlenker. 

130 

8 

75 

Friedenj’s . 

. J. 0. Schlenker. 

180 




. R. E. Kern. 

683 

39 

451 

St. John’s. 

J. W. Bittner. 

592 

18 

360 

Maiden Creek. 


210 

8 

106 

Trinity . 

. R. B. Lynch. 

349 

18 

190 

Zion . 

. R. B. Lynch. 

244 

10 

85 

Trinity . 

. E. E. Landis. 

119 

7 

50 

St. John’s. 

. E. E. Landis. 

236 

5 

50 

Epler’s . 

. E. E. Landis. 

128 



Hinnershitz . 

. E. E. Landis.. 

348 

5 

100 

Zion •••••••••••• 

u W. S. Dry. 

340 

12 

200 

St. Paul’s. 

. W. S. Dry.. . 

300 

8 

100 

St. Peter’s. 

. W. S. Dry'. 

220 

7 

150 

Allegheny’s . .. 

. C. G. Heffner. 

331 

15 

180 

St. John’s. 

C. G. Heffner. 

303 

39 

437 

Trinity . 

. C. G. Heffner. 

238 

17 

185 

Faith . 

. R. J. Heckman. 

131 

19 

150 

Peace . 

. R. J. Heckman. 

103 

12 

135 

Grace . 

. W. H. Myers. 

1080 

52 

550 

Holy Spirit. 

. C. G. Beck. i. . 

553 

45 

560 

Hope . ... . . . 

. H. W. Warmkessel. 

884 

25 

463 

St. Joseph’s. 

. H. W. Warmkessel. 

836 

18 

124 

St. Paul’s. 

. H. W. Warmkessel. 

190 

10 

84 

St. James/*. 1 . . 

. H. K. Lantz. 

567 

45 

350 


^ Ph. Kirchner. 

934 

48 

385 

S't. Luke’s. 

. W. A. Fluck. 

1510 

62 

810 


/. Dr. E. S. Brownmiller. . 

679 

31 

425 


M. L. Brownmiller, Asst 




Zion . 

. Dr. E. S. Brownmiller. . 

70 

18 

90 

Zion . 

. Dr. E. S. Brownmiller. . 

260 



Kissinger’s . 

. Dr. E. S. Brownmiller. . 

65 



Christ . .. 

. Dr. E. S. Brownmiller. . 

270 



St. Paul’s. 

. M. H. Stettler. 

500 

25 

400 

Trinity . 

. Dr. E. P. Pfatteicher. . . 

1371 

74 

674 

Redeemer . .. 

. H. E. Herman. 

60 

15 

150 

Bethany . 

. W. 0. Laub. 

356 

46 

294 

Yocum’s . 


282 

32 

176 

Schwartzwald . 

. W. 0. Laub. 

478 



Sfllprn . J . 


140 



Grace . 

. Corson C. Snyder. 

171 

22 

263 

Robeson. 

. Corson C. Snyder. 

. 252 

22 

120 

St. John’s. 

• . Corson C. S'nyder. 

. 325 

10 

169 

. St. Luke’s. . 

. . Wm. K. Fisher. 

. 193 

9 • 

92 


, . w K Fisher.. 

. 397 

11 

90 

. St. Paul’s. 

.. W. K. Fisher. 

. 112 

5 

35 

Frieden’s . 

.. W. K. Fisher. 

118 


42 

St. -Tnhn’K. . 

. J W Lazarus. 

. 273 

20 

135 

. Trinity . 


, 104 

18 

110 

. Zioin .. 

. . I. W. Klick.,. 

. 389 

27 

250 

. Frieden’s . 

. . I. W. Klick. 

. 192 

25 

270 

. Trinity . 

. . T. W. Klick. 

. 90 

12 

140 

. Salem . 

. . I. W. Klick. 

. 136 

15 

160 


Pike Twp, 


Shatters 


Sinking Spring. . 
Wemersville . . . . 

Strausstown . . . . 

Shartlesville . . . . 

Rehrersburg . . . . 


33 



























































































































































































PARISH REGISTER—(Continued) 


T3 

G 

■V cS 


Location 

Congregation 

Pastor 

0> 

s 

cH 

c 

o 

o 

Officers 

Teachers 

Scholars 

Jefferson Twp. . . 


. . . I. W. Klick. 




Tulpehocken . 


... I. W. Klick. 

, . 61 

14 

85 

Stouchsburg . 


. . . D. F. Longacre. 

. 290 

7 

40 

Rehrersburg. 


. . . D. F. Longacre. 


15 

70 

Newmanstown . . . . 


. . . D. F. Longacre. 

. 132 

15 

250 

Milbach . 


. . . D. F. Longacre. 

. 48 

2 

20 

Rockland Twp. . . . 


. . . W. H. KLine. 


16 

160 

Fleetwood . 



. 325 

30 

580 

Topton . 


. . . W. H. Kline. 

, . 208 

22 

220 

Heidelberg Twp. . . 


. . . H. S. Kidd.. 


18 

75 

Host . 


. . . H. S. Kidd. 

, . 247 

5 

25 

Robesonia . 



. 98 

23 

135 

Womelsdorf . 



. 367 

27 

200 

Wyomissing . 


. . . J. L. Deaton. .. 

. 225 

35 

275 

Calvary . 

Albany Twp. 


. . . J. L. Deaton (Supply). 

. 128 
. 113 

10 

75 

Xit A pfna. 



96 

13 

36 




. . 624 

41 

400 



... Dr. W B. Smith*. . . . . 

. 121 

13 

280 




95 

17 

115 

Stony Creek. 



. 126 

35 

197 




60 

17 

160 

Mohrsville . 


.1. . J. I. Hummer. 

. 56 

22 

180 

Bemville . 




28 

170 









































































LUTHERANS IN 


BERKS COUNTY 


ALSACE CHURCH, READING 

ALSACE, KUTZTOWN ROAD, READING 

/^*^HE Alsace Churches are located in Muhlenberg 
Township, on an eminence along the William Penn 
Highway, just beyond the northern limits of the City 
of Reading. They present a rare sight to the thousands 
of tourists that are daily passing by. Perhaps no other 
two church buildings are so nearly alike in size, plan and 
building material as these. The Lutheran edifice stands 
about 150 feet north of the Reformed. 

The first Alsace Church was a log structure erected 
about 1737 by the exiled Alsatian Protestants who settled 
here in 1735. From a prefatory note in “Rupp’s 30,000 
Immigrants”, it is evident that there were evening services 
held in this little place of worship. Services were con¬ 
ducted in the French and German languages. It was a 
union Lutheran and Reformed Church. 

On account of the poverty prevailing among the early 
settlers and the scarcity of regular pastors, tramp preachers 
were employed to conduct services. Among them, accord¬ 
ing to Muhlenberg’s reports to Halle, was a notorious char¬ 
acter named Streiter. This accounts for the absence of 
early records of ministerial acts. Soon after his arrival in 



35 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


America, 1742, Muhlenberg visited the congregation. Rev. 
Tobias Wagner and Rev. John N. Kurtz were sent here by 
him as supplies. 

In 1753, Alsace united with Schwartzwald and Trinity, 
Reading, in electing and calling the Very Reverend Master 
Henry Borchard Gabriel Wordman to the pastorate. Among 
the Alsace members who signed the call were Adam 
Reiffle, John Haberaker, Theodore Baum, John Spengler 
and Henry Hahn. These were some of the founders of the 
Alsace Church. The Baum and Spengler families claim 
that their ancestors donated the land on which the churches 
now stand. 

Rev. Daniel Shumacher, who at the time served Jeru¬ 
salem in Albany Township, and congregations in Allen¬ 
town and Easton, became the pastor of Alsace in 1754. He 
preached here during the period of the French and Indian 
war. That this district was spared the depredations com¬ 
mitted by the savages in many parts of Berks County, 
is attributed to the fact that it was then considered a French 
settlement. 

The plot of ground to the south of the church was 
the first, and the beginning of the present, cemetery. 
Owing to the many family burial plots located near the 
homes of the early settlers, there were comparatively few 
burials in the Alsace cemetery during the first 50 years 
of its history. The dates on the sandstone markers at 
the graves of John Theodore Baum, who died in 1762, and 
John Fischer, who died in 1763, are still legible. 

About 1752 the little log structure was replaced by a 
stone edifice. It was during the trying period of the erec¬ 
tion of this building that the Reformed congregation with¬ 
drew, and the money contributed by them toward the new 
church was returned to them. For nearly half a century 
Alsace Church remained distinctly Lutheran. 

The congregation was a part of the Trinity parish, in 
Reading, from 1752 to 1850. During this period of nearly 
a century the children of Alsace had to go to Trinity for 
catechetical instruction and confirmation. Scattered 
throughout the Trinity records for that length of time 
are the entries of baptisms, confirmations, marriages and 


36 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


deaths of Alsace Lutheran Church. Even the Church Coun¬ 
cils elected by the congregation were obliged to come to 
Trinity for installation. 

Distasteful as this arrangement must have been to 
the people of Alsace, it had its advantages. On account of 
it, the congregation is now privileged to number among 
its former pastors some of the best educated and most 
prominent ministers in the early history of the Lutheran 
Church in America. Rev. John C. Hartwig, founder of the 
first Lutheran Theological School in the United States, 
preached here for some time. 

From 1758 to 1763, the learned Rev. Barnhard H&us- 
ihl, a graduate of the University of Strasburg and able to 
preach in many languages, was the pastor. During the 
Revolutionary war the pulpit was frequently occupied by 
Rev. F. A. Muhlenberg, who afterwards became the first 
speaker of the national House of Representatives. 

Under Rev. Charles F. Wildbahn, whose pastorate 
ended in 1796, the third Alsace Church was built. It was 
a two story brick building, located where Grace Reformed 
Church now stands. The school room and residence of the 
organist, who also served as teacher, occupied the first 
floor. The church auditorium covered all of the second 
floor. This edifice stood until 1850. 

Prominent among the pastors of this period were the 
Rev. Drs. Jacob Miller and H. A. Muhlenberg. Both of 
them were, president of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. 
The latter was a member of Congress, declined a seat in 
President Van Buren’s cabinet, and in 1838, became United 
States Minister to Austria. 

Early in the year of 1850, the congregation voted to 
tear down the old edifice, which was “too small and fre¬ 
quently overcrowded”, and to build a larger place of wor¬ 
ship. Communion by the Reformed, March 29, 1850, and 
by the Lutherans on the following day, were the last serv¬ 
ices in the building. While the new church was being 
erected, the congregation worshiped in the white oak 
grove near by. At this time Alsace ceased to be a part 
of Trinity parish. 


37 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



THE FOURTH CHURCH 

The corner-stone of the second brick building, which 
was the fourth church on that spot, was laid, May 9, 1850. 
Among the articles deposited in it, which were in good con¬ 
dition when removed 57 years later, were, a Bible printed 
in 1849, Luther’s Small Catechism, the Heidelberg Cate¬ 
chism, a flask of communion wine, several small coins, a 
few local and Philadelphia papers, and a brief statement 
by the Union Church Council, in which it was stipulated 
that: “Nothing but German preaching, and none but Ger¬ 
man Lutheran and Reformed preachers, be allowed. Any 
pastor who is no longer satisfactory can be dismissed. This 
regulation applies also to the organist and school teacher”. 
The Lutheran members signing this statement were 
George Spengler, Daniel Spengler, Jacob Heckman, George 
Fisher, Henry Spengler and Daniel Hahn. 

In the face of many discouragements, such as the re¬ 
signation of the pastor, loss of members, lack of general 
support, the building was completed in a little more than 
five months after the corner-stone was laid. By the aid of 
volunteer labor and hauling of building material, the cost 
of completing the new church was kept down to the in¬ 
credibly low figure of $4,000, in cash. Mr. Foos, a leading 
contractor of Reading, had charge of the work. 

A few days before the dedication of the new church, 
the following advertisement appeared in the Reading Adler: 
“The newly built Alsace Lutheran and Reformed Union 
Church, will by the grace of God, be consecrated, on Satur¬ 
day and Sunday, October 19 and 20, 1850. Divine services 


38 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


will begin at 2 o’clock, Saturday afternoon, in the church 
situated in Alsace Township (Muhlenberg, since 1851), 
Berks County. Selling of intoxicants is strictly forbidden.” 
The officiating pastors were Rev. A. T. Geisenheiner, 
Lutheran, and Rev. William Pauli, Reformed. This roman- 
esque brick structure was then considered one of the finest 
church buildings in the county. 

Rev. R. S. Wagner was pastor from 1851 to 1857. His 
first class was also the first Lutheran class confirmed at 
Alsace for nearly a century. In 1857 Rev. T. T. Iaeger 
became pastor. Up to 1864 the auditorium was heated 
with wood. At this time coal stoves, costing $40, were 
installed. 

From 1865 to 1873, Jacob Wicklein, whose ordination, 
Dr. C. W. Schaeffer, president of the Synod, questioned, 
occupied the pulpit. The trying experiences of the con¬ 
gregation resulting from this and other irregularities, in¬ 
duced both congregations to apply for a charter that allowed 
Lutherans only to vote for Lutheran pastors, and vice 
versa. Samuel Wontzel, Reformed, and David Clouser, 
Lutheran, were the first trustees under this charter. 

In 1873, Alsace again became a part of a city parish, 
when Rev. F. K. Huntzinger of St. Luke’s Church, Reading, 
was called as pastor. The congregation resolved to be¬ 
come a separate parish, in 1897. On the 13th of March, 
1898, C. E. Kistler, a student of the Philadelphia seminary, 
appeared at Alsace for the first time and has preached 
there regularly ever since. The following May he received 
a unanimous call to the pastorate, which he accepted im¬ 
mediately after his ordination, June 6, 1898. In the face 
of a decided general opposition to separation of the Lutheran 
and Reformed congregations, he succeeded within 8 years 
to affect a complete and peaceable dissolution of the union 
organization. 

To prevent rivalry, which in the end might prove to 
be very costly, it was decided at a joint meeting of the 
councils to build twin granite churches. Ground was 
broken for the Lutheran edifice, on Good Friday, March 
27, 1907. The corner-stone was laid, July 21, 1907. Fully 
a dozen neighboring pastors were in attendance, and de- 


39 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

livered addresses to the large congregation that had gath¬ 
ered for the occasion. The last service in the old building 
was held, May 18, 1908, over the remains of Peter Keller, 
who was one of the oldest members of the Lutheran con¬ 
gregation. 

On the 24th of May, 1908, one week before the new 
church was dedicated, the Alsace Lutheran Sunday School 
met for the first time. There were 354 in attendance. The 
Union Sunday School, of which the Lutheran school was 
a part up to the time of separation, began under the leader¬ 
ship of W. A. H. Pershing, June 2, 1872. On account of the 
feeble support it received during the first six weeks, it 
was reorganized, July 14, 1872, when D. S. Kline was elected 
superintendent. Books were borrowed from the Muhlen¬ 
berg School Board. After expelling several teachers this 
Sunday School came to an end, on the third Sunday in De¬ 
cember, 1872. 

Serious objections by members against the meeting 
of the Sunday School in the church caused it to be aban¬ 
doned for about five years. From 1877 to 1889 there was 
a Sunday School conducted by members of Alsace church, 
in Hyde Park. In 1889 the school was brought back to 
the Church, where it remained. With the exception of a 
few years, D. D. Becker has been its superintendent, until 
the congregations separated, when he became the super¬ 
intendent of the Lutheran school, and has served in this 
capacity ever since. 

Probably the most important congregational meeting 
of Alsace Lutheran Church, was held on the 26th of Janu¬ 
ary, 1907, when the following officers and committees 
were elected: Elders and Trustees: Howard E. Ahrens, 
Garson M. Huyett, Joseph C. Frederick; Deacons: Fred J. 
Leas, Paul W. Leas, Jacob L. Wertz, Clayton Rissmiller, 
Charles Hirleman, and Robert Cunnius. Building Com¬ 
mittee: Howard E. Ahrens, Joseph C. Frederick, William 
Border, Henry F. Kramer, James Folmer. Finance Com¬ 
mittee: Garson M. Huyett, Fred J. Leas, Paul W. Leas, 
Charles Hirleman, Jacob Wertz, Robert Cunnius, Howard 
Wagner, William H. Moyer, Samuel Fehr and Thomas 
Schmeck. 


40 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The contract for the building was awarded to the 
George W. Beard Company of Reading, Pa. 

The new granite structure, which has a seating capa¬ 
city of 750 in the main auditorium and 600 in the main 
Sunday School room, was dedicated on the 31st of May, 
1908. The Rev. Dr. Theodore E. Schmauk, president of the 
General Council, preached the sermon. The Estey organ 
which could not be secured in time for these services was 
installed later, and consecrated, September 27, 1908. The 
Rev. W. H. Myers, pastor of Grace Church, Reading, 
preached the sermon. The 2,500 pound Meneely bell in the 
tower was dedicated, Sunday, April 20, 1913. The sermon 
was preached by the Rev. J. O. Henry. The entire cost 
of the building and complete equipment exceeded $50,000. 

During the 24 years of the present pastorate the con¬ 
gregation increased its membership fourfold. There are 
now 1,200 on the roll. The average attendance of the Sun¬ 
day School is three times that of the former union school. 
The congregational income of last year was 15 times that 
of the union congregation 24 years ago. 

ST. PAUL'S, AMITYVILLE 

>j5^LTHOUGH the Swedes were the first white settlers 
vZj at Amity, yet they never left the banks of the 
Schuylkill, and Amity was chiefly settled by the 
Germans who located there as early as 1710, but not numer¬ 
ously until 1725 and 1752. The Germans were of various 
creeds. Some were Lutheran, some Reformed, some Mora¬ 
vian, and some were Catholic. For a long time they were 
without a pastor. In Douglassville the services were either 
in English or in Swedish, neither of which was understood 
by them. They were poor and could not afford to have a 
regular pastor nor build a church. The nearest church was 
at Swamp. It was nothing in those days to go to services 
at the Swamp in the morning and return for dinner. The 
Reformed also held to the Swamp, or to the Oley Reformed 
Church. Having so far to go to church, people sometimes 
asked German school teachers to read them a sermon on 
Sunday. 


41 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Some of these teachers even preached offhand, but this 
was not satisfactory. Many of the people said they could 
read sermons at home. Others abhorred these teachers 
because some often undertook to baptize and to administer 
the Lord’s Supper. 

Thus opportunity was given for vagabond preachers 
who misbehaved in the old country and were deposed from 
the ministry, to come to Pennsylvania and set themselves 
up as preachers of good standing. The people, hungry for 
the Word, believed them, and some of them did great 
mischief. One Valentine Kraft, a Lutheran preacher, came 
over and made great boast of himself; but before long he 
was in the hands of the law. 

Another by the name of Fritz, a Reformed preacher, 
preaching in DeLong’s church one Sunday, went on the pul¬ 
pit in a state of beastly intoxication, and announced his 
text, Matt. 16:24, “If any man will come after me, let him 
deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” He re¬ 
peated his text with emphasis, and just as he came to the 
end he lost his balance and fell down the pulpit steps with 
the words, “Follow me,” in his mouth. One of the Elders 
immediately arose; and, earnestly addressing the congre¬ 
gation, said, “No, brethren, we will not follow him.” Fritz 
was forthwith dismissed. Other instances like the above 
might be given. 

This state of affairs made the people long for better 
church services. Accordingly the people of Amity, Luth¬ 
eran and Reformed, met in 1753 and resolved to build a 
log church at New Storeville (Amityville), and to secure 
pious pastors. 

An opinion has prevailed that the Reformed congre¬ 
gation existed before the Lutheran. This is based on re¬ 
marks of Rev. Boas, who came to this country about 1770. 
Muhlenberg in his report says that in the spring of 1754, 
he found a union meeting-house erected by the two con¬ 
gregations. It would seem from the report that a self- 
educated layman (name unknown) preached every three 
weeks for the Reformed and that Rev. Muhlenberg preached 
irregularly as time permitted for the Lutherans. Much 


42 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



ST PAUL’S, AMITYVILLE 

will never be known because the records are imperfect, 
lost or unkept. 

There is a stone in the old East End graveyard wall 
at Amity with this inscription: 

1748 D L. 

DG;PB;ISH; 

P W; D W; D I R. 


43 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


D. L., probably stands for Daniel Ludwig; D G, for 
David Garrad; P B, for Peter Boone, or P. Boyer; I S H, 
for Jacob S. Hoffman; P W, for Peter Weaver; D W, for 
Daniel Womelsdorf; DIR, for D— Rhoads. Such persons 
lived at Amityville in those days, except David Garrad, 
who lived in Oley. The fact that this stone in the grave¬ 
yard wall bears the date, 1748, and also because there is 
a .tombstone put up in 1742 makes it probable that there 
was a graveyard here before there was a church building. 
It is not likely that there were any disinterments at that 
time. 

There is fair evidence to believe that there was 
preaching at Amityville in the houses as early as 1745, by 
Pastor Brunholtz and others, and no doubt these people 



AFTER THE STORM 


having no church clubbed together and laid out a burying 
ground to bury their dead. This may have influenced the 
organization of a union church in 1753 not a little. 

The first church was built of logs. It stood east of the 
church that was demolished by the storm of June 11th, 
1922. This log church was called a school and meeting¬ 
house. School was taught in it during the week and 
church services were conducted in it on a Sunday. 

Eleven rods of ground (11 roods) were connected with 
this first church. This land, before the church was built, 
belonged to a Mr. Boyer. In 1794, the congregation pur¬ 
chased 3 acres and 36 perches of land from Philip Boyer 
for the purpose of erecting a new church and for burial 


44 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


purposes. (A deed is of record in Book 31, Page 593 that 
on August 12, 1791, the congregations bought two tracts 
of land, one of 2 acres and 37 perches, and the other of 9 
perches which were held in trust for them by Mathias 
Rhoads and Henry Lehr.) 

In 1795 the log church was torn down and a stone 
church 40 by 50 feet was commenced. It seated 500 per¬ 
sons. The corner-stone was laid, September 18th, 1795. 
Rev. Daniel Lehman preached a sermon on this occasion. 
The dedication took place on September 4th, 1797. The 
stone church cost §3,325.00. The lumber was hauled from 
Orwig’s mill, now Orwigsburg. The cedar shingles were 
hauled from Philadelphia. It became free of debt in 1816. 
In 1819, it was painted for $160.00, and again in 1848 for 
$ 212 . 00 . 

On February 14, 1795, the congregations made a com¬ 
pact that the services shall alternate and that if Festival 
Days, and especially if Easter should fall to a congregation 
for two years successively, the other congregation shall 
be entitled to it. 

On June 17, 1817, an organ for $889.77 was bought 
and paid for. 

In the fall and winter of 1871 and 1872, a series of 
congregational meetings were held in which it was finally 
decided to tear down the stone church and erect a more 
commodious one of brick. Jonas Rhoads and Samuel Fran¬ 
cis were appointed collectors; and the following constituted 
the building committee: John Francis, President; George 
Lorah, Esq., Secretary and Treasurer; Joshua Fulmer, 
David Harner, Daniel L. Rhoads and J. F. Guldin. 

The old church was razed in May. John Sheeler, of 
Boyertown, was the contractor for the new. The cor¬ 
ner-stone was laid August 12, 1872. There were present 
besides the pastors: Rev. Jacob Dubbs and Rev. L. Groh. 
The church was dedicated August 15th, 1873. Revs. C. 
Koerner, L. Leberman, J. Fry, C. Z. Weiser, N. S. Strass- 
berger and G. Miller took part in these services. 

This church was 52 by 81 feet, with a steeple 123 feet 
high. It seated 700 people comfortably. In 1875 the slate 
roof was removed and replaced by one of shingles at a cost 


45 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

of $450.00. In June 1883, lightning damaged the steeple, 
the repairing of which, with a new copper lightning-rod 
and the outside painting of the church, cost $500.00. In 
the summer of 1884, the bell which was cracked, was re¬ 
placed by a new one for which the old bell and $125.00 was 
paid. On June 25th, 1888, the gable end back of the pul¬ 
pit was torn out to the square and rebuilt and other repairs 
and improvements were made. The committee in charge 
consisted of Wellington Gross, Jonas Rhoads, Henry B. 
Wagner and William Davidheiser. The total cost of these 
improvements was $1,030.00. On October 7th, reopening 
services were held. The following spoke: Rev. O. H. 
Strunck, Rev. J. Freeman, Rev. G. B. Hancher, and the 
pastors, Rev. U. P. Heilman and J. H. Leinbach. The offer¬ 
ings amounted to $77.00. 

On June 16th, 1891, a severe cyclone completely de¬ 
molished the sheds, 160 by 30 feet. These were replaced 
at a cost of $400.00. 

In 1839, a brick schoolhouse was built and paid for by 
subscriptions. This replaced the log meeting-house of 1794. 
A Sunday School was organized in 1839 by Ezekiel Rhoads 
and others and conducted in the new building, which was 
30 by 36 feet and cost $950.00. In July 1889, this building 
was razed and a chapel was erected in its place by the 
Amityville Union Sunday School at a cost of $2,300.00. The 
Sunday School has an agreement with the congregations, 
which in substance among other conditions, provides that 
so long as the Sunday School uses the chapel for Sunday 
School purposes, the officers of the congregations shall in 
no wise molest them or interefere with them in the enjoy¬ 
ment of their rights as granted them in the agreement, 
that if the chapel remains unused for said purpose for one 
whole year, it shall become the property of the congrega¬ 
tions. 

In the spring of 1917 this chapel burned down. It 
was rebuilt at a cost of $4,500.00. 

A union Sunday School was organized at Weavertown 
on May 9th, 1867. It held its sessions at first in the public 
school at Weavertown, but in 1879 the school erected its 
own chapel. The chapel lot was given by William Lorah 


46 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


for one dollar. The chapel is 32 by 48 feet. It is a frame 
building and cost §1,228.00. There is no Sunday School 
held in this chapel at present, although several attempts 
have been made by the Berks County Sabbath School Asso¬ 
ciation and others to resuscitate it. 

A union Sunday School was organized at Douglassville 
in 1884. It still functions. During the pastorate of Rev. 
H. W. Fitting the Sunday School was incorporated as a 
Lutheran Sunday School, and a lot was purchased adjacent 
to the public school in which the Sunday School has been 
conducting its sessions since its organization. No building 
operations for a Sunday School chapel at Douglassvilk 
have begun since the incorporation of the school. 

An active union Sunday School exists at Monocacy. It 



AFTER THE STORM 

was organized in 1868. It held its sessions in Reifsnyder’s 
public schoolhouse. Mr. David Miller donated a half acre 
of land on which a frame chapel 28 by 45 feet was built. 
This was formally opened October 13, 1895. The original 
building cost §770.00. This Sunday School now owns prop¬ 
erty which could not be replaced for less than §5,000.00. 

The Earl Sunday School was organized in 1862, but 
it has long since ceased to function. 

An English Lutheran church was built east of the old 
stone union church in 1844. All services were conducted, 
in the union church, in the German language. As early 
as 1840 several members desired English preaching in con¬ 
nection with German, but the joint Vestry did not grant 
this. In 1848, however, regular English services, alter- 


47 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


nating with the German, were also held in the union church. 

For many years this church building has been unoccu¬ 
pied, except by such who sought to spread their propa¬ 
ganda in the community. After some repairs were made 
to the building, it is now used temporarily by both con¬ 
gregations. The unrecorded deed, we are informed, states 
that the property of this English Lutheran Church “shall 
revert to the original owners.” Here both congregations 
worship at present, because on June 11, 1922 a severe 
cyclone completely demolished the brick church, erected in 
1872-1873. After several meetings of both congregations, 
jointly, it was decided to build a union church and that 
there shall be a common building fund “until the church 
is built and paid for.” 

Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg preached at Amity in 1753 
and 1754 and irregularly for perhaps some more years. 
Rev. J. H. Schaum supplied the congregation in 1761. In 



AFTER THE CLEARING 

1762 and 1763, the congregation was poorly supplied. In 
October, 1763, the congregation petitioned the Ministerium 
for services every four weeks. The Ministerium did what 
it could. The few pastors nearby had their hands already 
full. The scarcity of men, the large fields, the small sala¬ 
ries, the troublesome Indians, the French and Indian war, 
and the American Revolution,—these were some of the 
causes for irregular services throughout the Churches. 
The Rev. J. F. Frantz is the present Reformed pastor. 
The following served the Lutheran congregation: 
Revs. John L. Voigt, from 1767 to 1769; Adolph von 
Gerresheim from 1778 to 1779; Christian Streit from 1783 


48 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


to 1785; John F. Weinland from 1789 to 1791; John F. 
Weinland (again) from 1796 to 1799; C. F. Wildbahn from 
1799 to 1801; Henry A. Geissenhainer from 1801 to 1805; 
Fred Wm. Geissenhainer from 1806 to 1808; John P. Hecht 
from 1808 to 1813; Ernst Braunsius from 1814 to 1815; 
Jacob Miller from 1815 to 1818; Conrad Miller from 1818 
to 1848; George F. Miller from 1848 to 1872; Charles Koer- 
ner from 1872 to 1881; U. P. Heilman from 1881 to 1897; 
W. U. Kistler from 1897 to 1904; Anson W. Lindenmuth 
from 1905 to 1910; Harry W. Fitting from 1911 to 1915; 
H. B. Ritter from 1915 to —. 

A parsonage was purchased in 1906, but the pastor 
paid rent for the privilege of living in it. It was sold in 
1920 at a goodly profit. 

There are three cemeteries connected with the con¬ 
gregations. St. Paul’s Cemetery, incorporated in 1917, is 
controlled by a separate Board of Trustees. 

Both congregations still retain their former prestige 
Their membership is about equally divided. The Reformed 
congregation gave six of her sons to the ministry. Two of 
them are living. The Lutheran congregation had two, 
none of whom are active. 

Note—See article on “The Church at Molatton’’ by 
the same writer. 

FRIEDENS, FRIEDENSBURG 

formation and establishment of the Lutheran 
ill and Reformed congregations in a union church 
building in the village of Friedensburg, Oley Post 
Office, originated in a desire of members of both denom¬ 
inations who resided in the northern and western sections 
of Oley Township, as well as in the southern and western 
sections of Ruscombmanor Township, as also on the part 
of some who lived in the eastern section of Alsace Town¬ 
ship. These residents were members of the Oley Reformed 
(Salem’s) and Oley Lutheran (Christ) congregations, and 
the Reformed and Lutheran congregations worshiping in 
Spies’ Church. The Reformed congregation of Oley was 
served by Rev. Pauli, and that of Spies’ by Rev. Augustus 
Herman, both identified with the independent movement 


49 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



FRIEDENS CHURCH 

in the Reformed Church. The Lutheran congregation at 
Oley was served by Rev. Conrad Miller, and the Lutheran 
congregation at Spies' was served by Rev. Jacob Miller of 
Reading. Both Millers were tinged with “Independent" 
thought. These ministers were not too favorably inclined 
towards the establishment of new congregations, and hence 
did not encourage the project at Friedensburg. 

January 1, 1830, the church people in and around 
Friedensburg met and concluded to erect a house of wor¬ 
ship in their midst, and appointed the following building 


50 . 












LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


committee: John Laucks, Henry Dengler, Gideon Schneider, 
and Abraham DeTurck. Church regulations were drawn 
up, the name “Friedens’’ was selected, and provisions were 
made for a schoolhouse,—“all of which interests are to be 
independent of synodical connection until the end of time.” 

On January 5, 1830, a deed for 133 perches of ground 
was given in trust to Jacob H, Reiff, John Iaeger, Sr., Solo¬ 
mon Boyer and Abraham Haas. The ground was owned 
and the deed was given by Henry Dengler. 

Early in the spring ground was broken. The corner¬ 
stone was laid on May 23, 1830. It contained a constitution 
of the congregations, a Bible, two catechisms (one of each 
denomination), a list of the civil officers of the time, a 
bottle of wine, and a few other things. Rev. John Guldin, 
Charles Herman, both Reformed, and Rev. John Knoske, 
Lutheran, were present at the corner-stone laying. English 
and German were spoken. 

The church, built of stone, measured 35 by 45 feet, 
had galleries on three sides, and seated about 400 persons. 
The church was completed in 1831, and cost $1,678.11%. 
Among the first contributors are found the names of Abra¬ 
ham DeTurck, Peter Knabb, Solomon Boyer, John Iaeger, 
Jacob Knabb, John Loucks, Henry Dengler, Francis Palm, 
John DeTurck, Samuel Hill, Jacob Link and Gideon 
Schneider. 

After this church stood for 56 years, it was torn down. 
In the early part of 1886 it was decided to build a new 
brick church. Aaron Rhoads, Jacob Hoch, Charles Reiff 
and Henry Dellicker were appointed a committee to solicit 
subscriptions and to serve as a building committee. Aaron 
Rhoads withdrew in favor of Joel Haas. Peter Glase was 
treasurer. 

A draft of the building was made by Peter Helfrich of 
Reading, and the building under the immediate superin¬ 
tendency of Henry Dellicker, was pushed rapidly, so that 
the corner-stone was laid May 16, 1886. At this service, 
Rev. N. C. Schaeffer, D. D., preached in the morning and 
Rev. D. K. Humbert in the afternoon. The offerings 
.amounted to $149.66. The church was formally dedicated 


51 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


on December 18 and 19, 1886, when the following were pres¬ 
ent and preached: December 18, at 10 a. m., Rev. T. T. 
Iaeger; at 2 p. m. Rev. N. S. Strassberger; at 7 p. m. Rev. 
J. Stahr, Ph. D. December 19 at 10 a. m., Rev. E. S. Brown- 
miller; at 2 p. m., Rev. J Stahr, Ph. D. and at 7 p. m. Rev. 
B. E. Kramlich. 

The offerings on this occasion were $99.79. The church 
was entirely paid for before it was dedicated. The last 
$500.00 were subscribed in church on the day of dedica¬ 
tion, so that the congregations stood on their own floor 
and gave their own house to the Lord for His use and serv¬ 
ice. It cost $10,190.06. 

The first Lutheran pastor was Rev. Isaac Roeller from 
the East Penn Valley, and the Reformed were served by 
Rev. Fred Herman. It was a hard struggle for life. The 
older members had still a hankering for the flesh-pots of 
Spies’ and Oley; while the younger ones felt a strong re¬ 
sentment for stepmother’s treatment. 

All through the 30’s there was great attrition among 
pastors and people, caused by the growth of the sects. The 
older members became more reconciled to things spiritual, 
and the younger became more assertive. Finally, in the 
early 40’s, they cast off the Miesse and Geissenheiner re¬ 
gime; and George Miller, the son of Conrad Miller, became 
pastor of the Lutheran congregation, and N. S. Strass¬ 
berger became pastor of the Reformed congregation. 

The pastorate of Rev. Miller was not so long. He was 
succeeded by Rev. G. A. Heinterleiter. Rev. N. S. Strass¬ 
berger very soon made his congregation fall in line with the 
newly adopted (1846) constitution of the Reformed Church. 
He did this tacitly without formal acceptance by the con¬ 
gregation. 

In 1854 on the 14th of August, Rev. Strassberger and 
supporters of both congregations had the church incor¬ 
porated and the cemetery established and placed under the 
government of trustees. Some of the older independently 
inclined members were afraid of their liberties and thought 
they would be forced under the control of synods. The 
trustees were accordingly given freedom of control so as 


52 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

not in any way to interfere with worship or in the exer¬ 
cise of their free choice. 

Here then Rev. Hinterleiter took the lead with the 
silent consent of Rev. Strassberger to formulate a new con¬ 
stitution and by-laws to take the place of the old. This 
new instrument was adopted about the year 1857 or 1858. 
It had been under consideration for several years and pro¬ 
voked some members to become alienated. Some left and 
connected themselves with other congregations. Rev. 
Hinterleiter was very determined and persevering. He 
bore the brunt of the criticisms and attacks. 



THE PARSONAGE 

Rev. Strassberger claimed to be loyal to the general laws 
of the Reformed Church and thus evaded the attacks; but 
during the controversy, he was compelled to resign because 
of duties in Pottstown and Amityville. He was also de¬ 
sirous of forming a charge comprising Oley, Friedensburg 
and Pricetown. 

After Rev. Strassberger’s resignation, the Oley con¬ 
gregation refused to fall in with any classical arrangement 
and elected an independent, the Rev. Sassaman Herman. 
This resuscitated some of the old independent spirit in the 
older members, who recalled Rev. Miesse who at this time 
declared himself through the Reading Adler as an inde¬ 
pendent minister. He served several years, and then re¬ 
signed. He told his consistory that they should have 


53 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


nothing to do with either the Constitution and By-Laws of 
the Reformed Church or with the Union Constitution. 

Under these conditions, Rev. Hinterleiter, nothing 
daunted, prevailed upon the Lutheran congregation to 
adopt a constitution for their use and practice. This old 
but thoroughly conservative Lutheran instrument is still 
in force. The writer wishes to make due acknowledgement 
for the above to Mr. James B. Leinbach, an Elder of the 
Reformed Church. (1919) 

A Sunday School was organized in 1839 and was Union 
until about the time when Rev. Heilman’s pastorate ceased. 
In 1863, Sunday Schools were also organized at Oley Fur¬ 
nace and at Link’s schoolhouse. These existed for a de¬ 
cade or so. 

The two congregations and the two Sunday Schools 
have their services and sessions in the church built in 1886, 
which building is 46 by 86 feet, with a steeple at its side 
119 feet high. When all available space is occupied the 
church seats about 1,000 people. 

The two congregations have enjoyed a slow but steady 
growth. There are about 600 members and are about 
equally divided. Each pastor has services every two weeks, 
with evening services every four weeks. The English 
language is employed mostly. The full liturgical services 
are used. Each congregation has its own treasury. The 
services are well attended. The organ is in front of the 
congregation, and the congregational singing is good. 

Rev. I. S. Stahr has served the Reformed congrega¬ 
tion since 1884. 

The following is a list of the pastors of the congrega¬ 
tion: Revs. Isaac Roeller from 1830 to 1838; Daniel Kohler 
from 1838 to 1848; A. T. Geissenheiner from 1848 to 1849; 
George F. Miller from 1849 to 1853; G. A. Hinterleiter 
from 1853 to 1866; Thomas T. Iaeger from 1866 to 1883; 
U. P. Heilman from 1883 to 1897; W. U. Kistler from 1897 
to 1904; Anson W. Lindenmuth from 1905 to 1910; H. W. 
Fitting from 1911 to 1915; H. B. Ritter from 1915 to—. 

On September 15th, 1894, a Dorcas Society was organ¬ 
ized at the home of Mrs. Frank Y. Kaufman. This society 
has proven itself a worthy helpmate to the cause of Inner 


54 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Missions during all these years. A benevolent or Mission¬ 
ary Society has been in active co-operation with the Church 
since the pastorate of the Rev. T. T. Iaeger. (Feb. 19„ 1871.) 

A Junior Missionary Society was organized March 9, 
1891. These societies were merged and are active as the 
“Friedens Missionary Society”. 

Friedens Lutheran congregation owns a parsonage, con¬ 
taining all modern improvements. 

It has three sons in the ministry, Revs. David C., 
Roger C. Kaufman and Rev. Nathan Yerger. 


ST. JOHN’S, PRICETOWN 


e VEN prior to 1820, Lutheran and Reformed pastors 
from neighboring parishes conducted services alter¬ 
nately in the Dunkard’s meeting house on Sunday 
afternoons. Since there were no churches at Fleetwood 
(1859) and at Shalter’s (1860) ; a union church' organiza¬ 
tion was effected in 1839. An acre of ground was pur¬ 
chased from John Haas for $100.00 to erect a church and 
for a burial ground. William D. Hains, Abraham Haas, 
and Charles Detweiler comprised the building committee. 

Work at the church was begun in March, 1839. The 
church was dedicated, September 4th and 5th, 1841. Rev. 
Jeremiah Schindel, Rev. Isaac Miesse, Rev. Isaac Roeller, 
Rev. Charles Miller, Rev. Charles Bossier, and Rev. C. G. 
Frederic were present. At the corner-stone laying the 
collection was $83.00. The building cost $3600.00 in cash. 
Some of the lumber was hauled from Allentown. In 1847, 
the church became free of debt. The bell cost $143.40. 
It is not the old court house bell as was commonly reported. 

The church is 45 by 55 feet. A steeple 8 by 15 feet 
and about 60 fet high is erected at the outer end, making 
the church 8 feet longer. The pulpit is in the base of this 
steeple. The audience room measures 18% feet to the 
ceiling, with an end gallery. At the entrance there is a 
hall 9 feet wide the whole width of the building. The floor 
of the church slopes 20 inches towards the chancel. The 
whole church seats about 450 adults. 

The union church organization was incorporated, April 
18th, 1853. The act is signed by W. P. Schell, then speaker 


55 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



ST. JOHN’S CHURCH 

common. Both pastors receive the same fixed salary. The 
services are conducted mostly in the English language. 
Each pastor has services every four weeks. 

Mr. Charles Levan, a prominent member of the Re¬ 
formed congregation, had willed $1,000.00 to the church; 
and he, dying in 1881, the money was used to repair the 
church in 1882. 

In 1885, resolutions, concerning burials, were passed. 
In 1888, one acre and 98 perches of ground was purchased 
from John Brown for a new burial ground at a cost of 


of the Assembly, Thomas Carson, speaker of the Senate, 
and William Bigler, Governor. 

Some of the rules governing these congregations are 
that four trustees shall be elected by ballot on Easter Mon¬ 
day. These shall choose a treasurer, and he must give 
security. If a trustee is absent at two meetings without 
excuse, he shall be removed. Only male members, 21 years 
of age who contribute regularly to the church, can vote. 
The election must be announced two weeks previous. There 
are also four elders and four deacons. The treasury is in 


56 















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

$645.00. The total cost amounting to about $800.00. Mrs. 
Charles Levan, left at her death in 1891, $200.00 towards 
paying this debt. 

There was no organ in the church before 1878, and 
the singing was led by a choir at which the chorister (Vor- 
singer) presided. The following led the singing before the 
congregations had an organist: William D. Hains from 1841 
to 1848; David Brown from 1848 to 1852; and Daniel C. 
Weston from 1852 to 1878. 

A Sunday School was organized and conducted in the 
Dunkard’s meeting house until about 1864, when through 
the efforts of the Rev. P. P. A, Hoffman and others, it was 
transferred to the church where it has been ever since. 

On September 20th, 1891, the 50th Anniversary of 
the church was observed with appropriate services. Rev. 
F. K. Bernd, Rev. Dr. Gehr, Rev. Charles Levan, a son of 
the Reformed congregation, Rev. Brensinger, and the pas¬ 
tors were present. Grand tributes were paid to William D. 
Hains, who organized the Sunday School and the Church; 
and to Charles W. Levan who conducted the Sunday School 
after Mr. Hain’s death until 1873. 

On September 25th, 1921, the 80th Anniversary of the 
church was observed. The church was renovated, memorial 
windows were placed, and other improvements were made 
at a total cost of $1,560.17. The total receipts for these 
purposes were $1,713.47. Rev. Anson W. Lindenmuth, Rev. 
HJ. W. Fitting, Rev. Thomas Bickel, Rev. George Lutz and 
the pastors were present. 

Much credit must be given to “The Busy Bee Society,’’ 
a young peoples’ society affiliated with the congregations, 
for many activities conducive to the welfare of St. John’s. 

Ever since Rev. Geo. F. Spieker’s pastorate ceased, the 
Third District Conference, which existed until January 1, 
1894, supplied the pastors for St. John’s, Pricetown. After 
the necessary steps were taken by the congregation, the 
Reading Conference at its spring meeting, 1919, regularly 
constituted St. John’s, Pricetown, as an integral part of 
the Amityville Parish, after a period of 36 years. 

“During the first decade, the congregations were con¬ 
siderably larger than they are now,” says Rev. U. P. Heil- 


57 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

man. “We have now on the Lutheran side 125 communi¬ 
cant members. The Reformed have 85.” (1891.) He also 
states that during the Civil War, the new measure preach¬ 
ers did the congregations considerable harm as far as the 
numerical strength of the congregations was concerned. 
At the present time, the combined membership numbers a 
little more than a hundred. They are about equally divided 
between the two denominations. There is slow but prom¬ 
ising growth. 

Before the church was organized, Rev. Jacob Miller 
on the Lutheran side, and Rev Charles Augustus Herman 
preached as opportunity permitted. 

Rev. I. S. Stahr is the present Reformed pastor. 

The Lutheran pastors were: Isaac Roeller, 1841 to 
1845; Daniel Koehler, 1845 to 1848; J. M. Ditzler, 1848 to 
1852; G. H. Hinterleiter, 1852 to 1867; Thomas T. Iaeger, 
1867 to 1872; George F. Spieker, 1872 to 1883; U. P. Heil¬ 
man, 1883 to 1897; W. U. Kistler, 1897 to 1905; Anson W. 
Lindenmuth, 1905 to 1910; H. W. Fitting, 1911 to 1915; 
H. B. Ritter, 1915 to the present time. 

Rev. I. W. Gauker was a son of the Lutheran congre¬ 
gation. 


58 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


TRINITY, BECHTELSVILLE 


/•■^RINITY Church of Bechtelsville is of recent origin, 
if The church was organized to provide a place of wor- 
ship for the members of Hill Church, who without any 
conveyance, found it a hardship to attend the mother church, 
and also to encourage the town people to greater activity. 
It was to be a union church and assisting the Lutheran 
and Reformed members were also Mennonite friends, who 
aided both in gifts and labors. The Mennonites were given 
the privilege of occupying the church on funeral occasions 



TRINITY CHURCH 


59 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

and also of holding regular services when the church is not 
needed by the Lutheran and Reformed. 

A building committee was appointed consisting of: 
Isaac Dierolf, Lutheran; Henry Geist, Reformed; Henry 
Stauffer, Mennonite. The corner-stone was laid on Whit¬ 
sunday, 1886. B. G. Welder, a senior at the Philadelphia 
Seminary was the speaker. Rev. L. Groh and L. K. Evans, 
D. D., also took part in the service. The basement was 
dedicated October 10, 1886. Rev. J. J. Kline preached the 
sermon on Gen. 28:16 and 17. Rev. Groh and Dr. Evans 
assisted in the service. The organization of the Church 
was effected in Jan. 1887, with a communicant member¬ 
ship of 28. The auditorium was completed and the church 
dedicated on May 6 and 7, 1887. At this time Rev. W. J. 
Mann preached the sermon from St. John 11:28. Rev. J. 
H. Umbenhauer and L. Groh assisted. The first organ 
was dedicated on June 12, 1882. Rev. J. J. Kline preached 
the sermon in the evening on Ps. 33:2 and 3. This church 
is a neat two-story brick edifice with steeple and bell. 

The first catechetical class was confirmed on Nov. 5, 
1887. During the thirty years in which Rev. Kline was the 
supply pastor of this congregation, 158 persons were con¬ 
firmed. Rev. A. S. Fisher, a son of the congregation, is 
pastor of the Tinicum Parish of the Norristown Conference. 
Rev. Kline continued as supply pastor until July, 1916, when 
he resigned because of ill health. His successor, the Rev. 
R. H. Ischinger was very successful, but remained only for 
a short time. 

Rev. W. E. Wenner took charge as supply pastor on 
Easter, 1920, together with his labors as pastor of the 
Niantic-Sassamansville Parish. The Sunday School is large 
and well organized and attended regularly by Lutherans, 
Reformed and Mennonites. Various organizations with the 
Church function to encourage spiritual life and activity for 
the Church. 

Many years ago the Reading Conference formed a 
parish, which included Hill Church, Lobachsville and Bech- 
telsville. This parish was not consummated because of 
continued local opposition so that to the present time this 


60 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


congregation is one of the few Lutheran Churches in Berks 
County, which is served by a pastor belonging to another 
conference. 

BERN, BERN TOWNSHIP 

^5^%ERN Church is located on the main highway leading 
j from Reading to Bernville. The first church built 
was exclusively by the Reformed. When the Re¬ 
formed organization was effected is not definitely known. 
This may have been as early as 1739. The earliest baptism 
is recorded in that year. When the first building was 
erected is also not definitely known. In 1743 about 15 
acres were surveyed by the Penns for the use of the con¬ 
gregation. In 1748 this land was conveyed to Henry Resier 
for Calvinists in Bern, Cumru and Heidelberg townships. 
About this time a log church was built on this ground and 
served the congregation until 1762 (1765 and 1775 are also 
given). At this time the building was replaced by a stone 
structure, which lasted until 1837. Through all of these 
years the church was exclusively Reformed. 

The Lutherans on this territory were very likely mem¬ 
bers of Belleman’s Church, which was organized in 1746 



THE BERN CHURCH 


61 









LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


and of Frieden’s, Bernville, which were distinctively Luth¬ 
eran at the time. When the third church at Bern was 
erected in 1837 arrangements were made whereby the Luth¬ 
erans assisted in the same and secured half interest. The 
Lutheran organization was effected the winter previous, 
in 1836, and a constitution drawn up and adopted by both 
congregations. The corner-stone was laid July 30, 1837. 
In the fall of the same year the new building was com¬ 
pleted. It was a brick structure with balcony on three 
sides. The building contained three entrances. Two wind¬ 
ing stairways led to and from the pulpit. The altar stood 
in front of the pulpit. In 1762 additional land was secured 



THE THIRD CHURCH 


from Henry Hiester by the trustees: David Brecht (Bright), 
Matthias Stoudt, Jost Hiester of Bern, Henry Spohn and 
Martin Arnold of Heidelberg. Another purchase was made 
in 1792, thus making the entire property about 20 acres. 
The trustees at this time were John Dundore, John Reber 
and Michael Stump. 

This third building was used until July 9, 1917, when 


62 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


it was torn down to prepare the way for the new and modern 
edifice that occupies the same spot. In the presence of a 
large concourse of people, the corner-stone was laid by 
Revs. M. L. Herbein and J. W. Bittner, the latter preach¬ 
ing the sermon. The church was dedicated Sunday, June 
29, 1919, by the pastors, assisted by the Rev. G. D. Druck¬ 
enmiller, president of the Reading Conference, the Rev. J. 
0. Schlenker, pastor of the Grimsville Charge, and the Rev. 
R. B. Lynch, pastor of Trinity Church, Kutztown, (Luth¬ 
eran) ; and the Revs. J. R. Brown, Stuart Kramer, John 
Baer Stoudt, W. J. Kershner, and John K. Stoudt (Re¬ 
formed). The new bell was dedicated July 7, 1918, by the 
pastors: J. W. Bittner and M. L. Herbein. An appropriate 
sermon was delivered by each. The new pipe organ was 
dedicated on Nov. 27, 1919, by the pastors. The sermon 
in the morning was delivered by the Rev. F. K. Bernd, 
pastor of the Maxatawny Lutheran Charge. In the after¬ 
noon an address was delivered by the Rev. Edwin H. Romig, 
Reformed clergyman from Reading. On Oct. 16, 1920 a 
new constitution was adopted, to which both congregations 
subscribed. 

This church edifice is undoubtedly one of the finest in 
rural Berks. It is a brick structure with Indiana limestone 
trimmings, gothic in style, and has an annex for Sunday 
School purposes. The basement contains a commodious 
dining room. As we enter the main auditorium we at once 
notice that nothing was left undone to emphasize the 
sacredness of the place. Art glass windows, containing 
biblical scenes are used throughout. Two half size win¬ 
dows show fine figures of Martin Luther and Ulrich 
Zwingli. In the large window above the altar appears a 
life-size picture of Christ as the Man of Peace. On the one 
side of the rotunda is the sacristy and on the other the 
organ. The Sunday School room is separated from the 
main auditorium by shadelike curtains with painted bibli¬ 
cal scenes. Thus the Sunday School room can be used in 
connection with the main room on special occasions. 

This building cost $50,000.00 with a debt of $9,000 
on the day of dedication. At the time the edifice was 
started there were no funds on hand. A Ladies’ Aid was 


63 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


organized, the men becoming honorary members. This 
organization gave the impetus for the raising of funds. 
Nineteen campaign teams were appointed, who went out 
to collect funds and receive pledges. The building commit¬ 
tee consisted of: Harry S. Kershner, (Treas.), Henry S. 
Field, Harry S. Baer, Lutheran; W. K. Heister, Cyrus Ruth, 
John A. Leib, H. K. Heister (Sec.), Reformed. 

The Rev. M. L. Herbein is the present Reformed pastor. 

The following ministers have served the congregation: 
George Minnig, 1837 to 1838; Daniel Kohler, 1839 to 1852; 
Thomas Theophilus Iaeger, 1853 to 1864; Aaron Finfrock, 
1864 to 18—; Thomas T. Iaeger, 1870 to 1888; E. S. Brown- 
miller, 1889 to 1917, Feb. 5; J. W. Bittner, 1917 to—. 


ST. MARK'S, BIRDSBORO 


/^rjT UTHERAN church history in Birdsboro dates back 
to 1873 w r hen on Nov. 7 the first Lutheran church 
service was conducted in an old tw r o-storied school¬ 
building which long since was torn down to make room 
for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Rev. Z. H. Gable, who had 
recently been called from the Scenery Hill Parish of the 
Pittsburgh Synod to the Geigertown Parish of the Reading 
Conference and who had assumed charge of his new field 
in August, 1873, conducted this service. Hitherto the 
Lutherans of Birdsboro retained their membership in near¬ 
by congregations, principally in St. Paul's Church, Amity- 
ville, and in St. John's Church, Gibraltar. St. Mark's 
Church was organized on Mar. 9, 1875, with 45 charter 
members. The new congregation was added to the Geiger¬ 
town Parish and was served by Rev. Gable until his death 
on Dec. 15, 1909. The Geigertown Parish in addition to St. 
Mark’s Church consisted of the following congregations: 
St. James’, Geigertown; Robeson Church, Plowville; Alle¬ 
gheny Church, Alleghenyville ;Trinity Church, Gouglers- 
ville; and St. John’s Church, Gibraltar. All of these con¬ 
gregations Rev. Gable continued to serve until the close of 
his (earthly ministry. The first Church Council of St. 
Mark’s was composed of the following: Elders, Samuel 


64 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Rhoads and Henry Albright; Deacons, Jacob Brunner, 
Henry Heist, Samuel Nagle and Cyrus Rhoads. 

The first church building, a brick structure without 
tower or vestibule, 40 feet by 32 feet, was consecrated on 
May 12, 1878. In 1886 a tower was built and a bell weigh¬ 
ing 1875 pounds was purchased. In 1898 a Sunday School 
room, 30 feet by 22 feet, was built on the north side of 
the church. The Sunday School was organized in 1878. 
A Mite Society was organized in 1885. The Senior and 



ST. MARK’S CHURCH 

Junior Luther Leagues were organized in 1889. St. Mark’s 
congregation showed a steady and healthy growth from 
the day of its founding so that at the date of the first pas- 


65 

































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

tor’s death, 35 years after the organization, the member¬ 
ship numbered 220. This growth took place in spite of the 
great handicap which the congregation suffered through 
belonging to an immense parish of six widely scattered 
congregations and consequently of necessity receiving 
scanty pastoral attention. 

After the departure of the first pastor a new era of 
development set in. He had labored faithfully and with 
marked success, but after his death his large parish was 
divided into two, the Robeson, Allegheny and Gouglers- 
ville congregations being constituted into the Robeson 
Parish; and St. John’s, Gibraltar, St. James’ Geigertown, 
and St. Mark’s, Birdsboro, being constituted into the Birds- 
boro Parish. Rev. W. F. Deibert was called from the Phila¬ 
delphia Seminary to become pastor of the Birdsboro Parish 
and was installed in St. Mark’s on June 26, 1910, by Rev. 
F. K. Bernd, president of the Reading Conference. Rev. 
Deibert made his residence in Birdsboro. Rev. Gable had 
resided in Reading during his entire pastorate. Thus with 
the size of the parish decreased by one-half, the pastor 
living in the very center of his parish and right in the 
midst of St. Mark’s congregation, this congregation hence¬ 
forth enjoyed advantages it never had before. Besides, 
conditions were ripe for a forward movement. Already 
several months before the new pastor took charge of the 
field the congregation had decided to enlarge its edifice. 
The outcome in fact was a building new throughout with 
the exception that the tower of the old structure was re¬ 
tained. The new church was also built entirely of brick. 
It consists of two sections after the plan of the former 
building. The church proper consists of a building, 80 
feet by 40 feet. Attached to this on the north is the Sun¬ 
day School building, 62 feet by 30 feet. Between these two 
rooms is a rolling partition making it possible to throw them 
into one large auditorium. A basement extends under¬ 
neath the entire structure. The new church was conse¬ 
crated on May 21, 1911, and together with the furnishings 
represents a value of $30,000. 

St. Mark’s congregation now began to develop to an 
unusual degree in all lines. In 1910 the membership was 


66 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

230 and by 1922 it was 470. In these twelve years this 
congregation raised $45,700 for its own purposes and $8,300 
for benevolence, or a total of $54,000, an average of $4,500 
per year, a record before undreamed of. In 1911 the pres¬ 
ent constitution which is drawn after the model recom¬ 
mended by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania was adopted 
and the congregation was incorporated. In 1911 the Or¬ 
phan’s Homes Auxiliary was formed. In 1912 the Mite 
Society was changed into the St. Mark’s Aid and Mission¬ 
ary Society. St. Mark’s Brotherhood was organized in 
1922. So great was the development in St. Mark’s that in 
the fall of 1919 this congregation appealed to the Reading 
Conference to have St. John’s congregation, Gibraltar, 
severed from the Birdsboro Parish in order that it might 
obtain more services and receive more pastoral attention. 
Inasmuch as the conference found a ready way to provide 
for St. John’s this appeal was granted. Accordingly, Rev. 
Deibert’s resignation of this congregation took effect in 
January, 1920 . The Birdsboro Parish henceforth con¬ 
sisted of St. Mark’s, Birdsboro, and St. James’, Geiger- 
town. Since this change the work in St. Mark’s has been 
characterized by greater intensity. 

A few words should be said of the part St. Mark’s 
took in the World War. On May 2, 1917, through the co¬ 
operation of the pastor of St. Mark’s with the Berks County 
Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Birdsboro Branch 
of the Red Cross was organized at a community meeting 
held in St. Mark’s Church. The first two men from Birds¬ 
boro to volunteer for the duration of the war were Luth¬ 
erans, one of whom was a member of St. Mark’s. The 
first man from Birdsboro to be wounded in the War was 
the son of a Lutheran mother who belongs to St. Mark’s. 

The first man from Birdsboro to sacrifice his life in action 

» 

in the War was a member of St. Mark’s. The latter two 
were also volunteers. In September, 1918, St. Mark’s 
waged a campaign for the sale of War Savings Stamps to 
be donated to the Church. This sale amounted to 224 
stamps whose maturity value was $5 apiece. In October, 
1918, when the influenza epidemic raged in Birdsboro, Rev. 
Deibert organized an Emergency Relief Committee among 


67 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


the women of the community which did heroic and self- 
sacrificing work in providing food for the sick, nursing 
of the sick, and in rendering general service in the homes of 
the sick. This work was not only of Christian and human¬ 
itarian value, but also a patriotic asset in that critical 
period. 

St. Mark’s congregation gave one of her sons to the 
Gospel ministry in the person of Rev. William Marion 
Weaver who has served as pastor at Lunenburg and Hali¬ 
fax, both in Nova Scotia, but who is now located in Phila¬ 
delphia as a missionary of the City Mission. 


ST. JAMES’, GEIGERS’ MILLS 

3 N THE history of St. Mark’s Church, Birdsboro, many 
facts involved in the history of St. James’ Church, 
Geigertown (Geigers’ Mills) were treated and hence 
they need only passing mention here. Ever since the 
coming into being of St. Mark’s Church these two congre¬ 
gations have belonged to the same parish. St. James’ 
Church dates its history from the holding of Lutheran 
Church services in Union School House of Union Township 
located about three-quarters of a mile from the present 
edifice. These services under the guidance of Rev. J. R. 
Focht, then pastor of Robeson and Allegheny Churches, 
came to be of regular occurrence in 1850, in the summer of 
which year a movement was started to organize a Lutheran 
congregation for this vicinity. A project to erect a new 
church was set on foot in the middle of the summer and 
on Christmas Day, 1850, the church was consecrated. The 
original church was a stone structure forty feet square, 
plastered on the outside. It was built on a plot of ground 
about an acre in extent, half of which was donated by 
George Zerr and half by Paul Geiger. Rev. Focht having 
moved to Westmoreland County in the fall of 1850, Rev. 
F. A. M. Keller, successor, was now in charge at the time 
of the consecration of the church. The record shows that 
31 persons partook of the first Communion which was ad¬ 
ministered on May 4. 1851. The first Church Council was 


68 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



ST. JAMES’ CHURCH 


composed of the following: Trustees, George Wamsher and 
Jacob Wolf; Elders, John Wolf and Jacob Wamsher; Dea¬ 
cons, Jacob Zerr and Paul Geiger. 

By 1866 this congregation had a membership of 66, 
At present it numbers a few more than 100. While the 
nature of the community never permitted this congrega¬ 
tion to attain a large membership, it has always been 
loyally Lutheran, faithful, and devoted to its pastors. 

St. James’, like St. Mark’s, Birdsboro, was never a so- 
called “union” church and always conducted all its services 


69 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


in the English language, and also acknowledged its con¬ 
nection with the Ministerium of Pennsylvania from the be¬ 
ginning. The original constitution, which was drawn up 
by Rev. Keller, is a good and proper one and still in force. 
Rev. Keller also started the keeping of a complete and 
accurate church record, which has been continued to the 
present day. 

In 1890 the tower was erected and a large church bell 
procured. In 1886 the horse sheds were built. These are 
now chiefly used to shelter automobiles. Recently a pipe¬ 
less heater was installed in the church, an iron fence 
erected in front of the church-yard, and a cement wall built 
along the cemetery. 

On June 6, 1920, St. James’ Church celebrated the 
70th Anniversary of its founding and the 10th Anniver¬ 
sary of the pastorate of Rev. W. F. Deibert. The entire 
day was devoted to the occasion and the church was three 
times filled with worshipers. Noon and evening meals 
were furnished on the lawn of the church. During the ten 
years of Rev. Deibert’s pastorate, St. James’ congregation 
raised $1,500 for benevolence and $3,500 for congregational 
purposes, or a total of $5,000. In the spring of 1920 in the 
Half-Million Dollar Campaign for Muhlenberg College this 
congregation raised a higher per capita amount than any 
other congregation of the Reading Conference save one. 

St. James’ Church has thus far had eight pastors 
which have served as follows: Rev. Joseph R. Focht, 1850; 
Rev. Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg Keller, 1850-1863; 
Rev. Henry Seipel Miller, 1864; Rev. Aaron Finfrock, 
1864-1865; Rev. F. T. Hoover, 1865; Rev. David Kidling 
Humbert, 1866-1872; Rev. Zenas H. Gable, 1873-1909; Rev. 
Willis Franklin Deibert, 1910—. 

A few words more need yet to be said of Rev. F. A. M. 
Keller. He was one of the ablest preachers of his day and 
a hard worker, although a man of rather poor health. Dur¬ 
ing the Civil War he manifested a shining patriotism as the 
following anecdote, received from an eye-witness by the 
writer will testify. On a certain Sunday while Rev. Keller 
was conducting services as per appointment in Plow 
Church, a courier, who had ridden on horseback from 


70 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Reading, entered the church and handed a message to the 
preacher. Rev. Keller read it and proceeded with the serv¬ 
ices, at the conclusion of which he requested the people to 
wait outside of the church for an announcement that he 
wished to make. This proved to be the reading of the 
courier’s message, which was an appeal from the Federal 
Government for volunteers to join the Union Army. After 
reading the appeal distinctly and effectively, he supple¬ 
mented it with a stirring and fervent patriotic address, 
the result of which was the immediate enlistment of a num¬ 
ber of young men from his congregation. In 1862 at the 
time of the threatened invasion of Pennsylvania by Gen. 
Robert E. Lee, this patriotic pastor could no longer resist 
the promptings of his heart and accordingly himself en¬ 
listed that self-same year, but the exposure of military 
service was too much for his frail health and in March, 
1864, he died. He reminds us of Gen. Peter Muhlenberg, 
the Lutheran Soldier-Preacher from Woodstock, Virginia, 
of Revolutionary days. 

TRINITY, BOWERS 

y«i^HlS now exclusively Lutheran congregation has its 
ll new brick church-home at the eastern end of Bowers, 
in Maxatawny Township, Berks County, Pa. Its 
organized life began September 25, 1859, when the Lutheran 
people of this community were granted thle right and 
privilege to worship in the same building with “The Evan¬ 
gelical Reformed Church” in Maxatawny, which was one 
of the oldest congregations in this neighborhood, having 
been organized in 1759. 

Two acres of land were donated by Peter DeLong and 
Jacob Sharadin to which another acre was given by Andreas 
Haak in 1764. These early pioneers were interested in 
Christian education. The deed of the first grant of land 
mentioned that a church and schoolhouse were to be erected 
on the original two acres, and the deed of the latter desig¬ 
nates that the land was to be used for school purposes. 
From records consulted it is all but certain that the first 
pastor who served this then purely Reformed Church, was 
Philip Jacob Michael, who lived a short distance southeast 


71 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


from the village of Bowers on what is still known as “Der 
Michael Berg”, i. e., “Michael’s Knoll.’’ 

In 1759, our Reformed brethren erected their first 
house of worship. The building was of logs. In 1808 it 
was replaced by a stone structure which stood for 63 years. 
The third church was built in 1871. It was a brick edifice 
50 x 70 feet with a chapel in the rear. In this enterprise 
the Lutherans fully cooperated with the Reformed with 
the result that the two congregations were drawn still 
closer together. 



TRINITY CHURCH, BOWERS 


At the corner-stone laying, May 14, 1871, a union con¬ 
stitution was adopted by the bodies. The document appeared 
in German and contained eleven articles, providing that the 
church and burial place should be used by both with equal 
rights and privileges, excluding from the pulpit all pastors 
of any other denominations; that each congregation should 
elect, call and remunerate its own pastor and elect its own 
Church Council, each consisting of two elders and four 
deacons; that one organist and one treasurer for both be 


72 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


elected jointly; that the schoolhouse and the land belong¬ 
ing thereto be used jointly; that no funeral service be so 
arranged as to interfere with the regularly announced 
services; that one church record be kept and the business 
be done jointly; that no pastor be allowed to conduct serv¬ 
ices unless he be ordained and either belong to the Reformed 
Synod of the United States, or to the Lutheran Ministerium 
of Pennsylvania. This constitution was signed by Rev. 
Alfred J. Herman of the Reformed Church and Rev. Simon 
R. Boyer of the Lutheran Church, together with the proper 
lay officials of both congregations. The document was in 
force for 29 years. 



THE UNION CHURCH 

On a clear and sunny afternoon, August 11, 1900, 
somehow the barn on the farm of Mrs. Leanda Trexler (of 
Lyons) located to the north of the village of Bowers, was 
ignited, and, though several fields’ breadth away, with the 
East Penn Railway between, a spark from the burning 
building lodged on the shingle roof of the church and set 


73 







LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


it on fire. The few men not away at work and the women 
discovered the blaze immediately but were utterly helpless 
to extinguish it, so the large union house of worship burned 
to the ground. This catastrophe was naturally followed 
by a number of joint meetings of the Reformed and Luth¬ 
eran congregations. It was finally agreed to dissolve the 
union and each congregation erect its own house of wor¬ 
ship. The former reorganized under the name of “Christ 
DeLong’s Reformed Church”, and built its present church 
on the old location. The latter assumed the name “Trinity 
Evangelical Lutheran Church” and erected its present 
brick edifice on a suitable lot of about an acre donated by 
Mrs. Catharine Knoske, a faithful member and resident 
of Bowers. Her husband, Edward G. Knoske, deceased, 
was a son of the Rev. John Knoske, the organizing pastor 
of the sister congregation of this parish at New Jerusalem. 

After some delays the corner-stone of Trinity, Bowers, 
was laid on August 25, 1901, by the pastor, Rev. D. K. Hum¬ 
bert, assisted by Rev. J. J. Cressman of Kutztown, and Rev. 
A. C. Schenck, of Topton. The usual articles: a Bible, the 
Hymn Book, English and German catechisms, newspapers 
of the day, both religious and secular, silver coins of the 
year, etc., were deposited in it. 

The two Sunday School rooms, semi-circular in shape, 
were finished in 1903, and used for the services of the 
congregation, while the rest of the church was being fin¬ 
ished. The church was dedicated October 7, 1906, by the 
pastor, Rev. Wm. F. Bond, assisted by Rev. F. K. Bernd, 
president of the Reading Conference, Rev. R. B. Lynch, 
Rev. J. J. Cressman, Rev. Prof. C. C. Boyer, Ph. D., all of 
Kutztown; Rev. J. 0. Henry of Topton and Rev. George B. 
Smith. The last named is the present Reformed pastor. 
He delivered a congratulatory address and kindly presented 
the greetings of the mother congregation. 

The church is of brick having a slate roof with a bell 
tower over the main entrance resting on its own founda¬ 
tion. The two Sunday School rooms are on the west side 
of the main auditorium on the same floor level. The com¬ 
bined seating capacity is 700. The edifice faces the south. 
The pulpit recess is at the north end having an appropriate 


74 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


memorial window of art glass picturing Christ in the Gar¬ 
den of Gethsemane. It was donated by the late Rev. and 
Mrs. D. K. Humbert. The organ recess is on the left side 
of the pulpit. A robing room is provided on the right. The 
congregation, the main Sunday School, and the infant de¬ 
partment respectively own an organ. The building is 
heated with steam and illuminated with electricity. The 
windows are all memorials. That facing the street cost 
$500.00 and was donated by the Ladies’ Aid Society. The 
basement under the entire building was recently cemented. 

A beautiful, large star in the apex of the pulpit recess 
with bulbs of a variety of colors, indicates the number of 
young men who served their country in the World War. 
All of these eight were happily spared and returned home 
safely. 

The Rev. E. H. M. Sell instructed the first class of 
catechumens on the Lutheran side. There were only two 
in the class, both young women, one of whom withdrew, 
the other, Mrs. Eliza Kern (nee Kerchner) undismayed 
continued, saying: “What I have begun, I am also going to 
finish.” She has remained an active and steadfast member 
ever since. This same, resolute spirit has always been char¬ 
acteristic of the little flock. 

The following pastors have served the congregation: 
Revs. E. H. M. Sell, 1859-1863; Alfred D. Croll, 1864-1867; 
Simon R. Boyer, 1868-1873; David K. Humbert, 1873-1903; 
H'enry W. Warmkessel, assistant to Rev. Humbert; John 
W. Early, supply, 1903-1904; Wm. F. Bond, 1904 to —. 

Though the first class had but one catechumen to be 
confirmed, shortly after the Church was organized it num¬ 
bered 60 souls. By 1873 the flock had increased to 80 at one 
Communion. In 1900 the communicants numbered 125, 
indicating a total membership of about 160 or 170. 

In 1864 the graveyard was laid out in lots, and in 
1889 an additional acre was purchased for its enlargement. 
The same is cared for by a “Cemetery Board’’ consisting 
of six men, three of whom are elected by each congregation. 

Since the Board has been created July 18, 1906, addi¬ 
tional ground for cemetery purposes has again been pur¬ 
chased. The old stone wall flanking the public highway 


75 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


has been removed and a substantial iron fence erected. The 
City of the Dead is well kept. 

The purely Lutheran Constitution of Trinity is well 
drawn up. It was adopted August 25, 1901. 

On January 1, 1916, the mortgage indebtedness was 
finally cancelled. However, summer being more suitable 
for the members to gather from their distant homes, spe¬ 
cial, twofold thanksgiving services were deferred until 
September 2, 1916, when, at 9:30 A. M. and 7:15 P. M. a 
Harvest Home Festival and Debt Free Jubilee were observed. 
The pastor preached in the morning and Rev. C. E. Reiser, 
Ph. D., of Lyons, delivered the evening sermon. Rev. 
George B. Smith brought kind greetings and congratula¬ 
tions. The Hon. John Seidel, Judge of Columbus, Ohio, a 
son of the congregation, delivered a very acceptable ad¬ 
dress. Prof. J. C. D. Koch, presided at the organ. 

Another event is worth mentioning, because it was 
of unusual local interest and effected Trinity as well as the 
sister congregation, viz., the 150th anniversary of the Re¬ 
formed Church on Sunday, November 7, 1909. Among the 
celebrated speakers on this great occasion was the Hon. 
Judge Jacob S. Grosscup, of Chicago, who delivered a very 
excellent address. He was a native of this community, 
and while here, visited his birthplace not far from “Michael’s 
Knoll”. If these congregations have not produced sons for 
the Gospel Ministry, they may claim that they have brought 
forth honorable judges for our great country. At these 
anniversary exercises the humble pastor of Trinity Luth¬ 
eran Church was invited to speak a word of fraternal 
greeting in the German language, to which he cheerfully 
responded. 


HUFF’S, HEREFORD 

typical country church is located in the western 
H part of Hereford Township, Berks County about 50 
miles east of Reading, and about 15 miles southwest 
of Allentown. The nearest railroad stations are Alburtis 
and Shamrock, both about 5 miles north, and Barto about 
5 miles south. 


76 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

The history of the Hereford-Huff’s Church naturally 
divides itself into three epochs:—1. The Schoolhouse 
Period, about 1775 to 1815. 2. The First Church Period, 

1815 to 1881. 3. The Second Church Period, 1881 to the 

present. 

1. The Schoolhouse Period. Congregational life began 
here as early as 1760. Hereford and the surrounding ter¬ 
ritory were already well settled in 1745. Thomas Maberry 
now Mabry and his son and grandson operated the Here¬ 
ford furnace as early as 1734. It was here that the first 



HUFF'S CHURCH 

wood burning cook stove was cast in America. A full 
sized granite monument, the raw material having been 
taken from the local Siesholtzville granite quarry, now 
graces the edge of the dam of Adam L. Wensch’s mill, at 
the upper end of Forge Dale, near the church. The foun¬ 
dation of this marker, picturing the historic stove, is the 
crucible of the old Hereford furnace. The 100 to 150 men 


77 







LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

and their families connected with this industry lived within 
an accessible radius. 

The earliest activities of the congregations centered 
in two schoolhouses. The first was a roomy stone building 
located near the present well. When erected, it is impos¬ 
sible to ascertain, but it was removed in 1853 or 1854. The 
second schoolhouse, also a stone building, stood near the 
triangle at the fork of the roads at the present church. 
Both were built under the*auspices of the Church before 
the days of the public schools. One of the strongest proofs 
for an early congregational life is the old cemetery on the 
Rauch farm towards Seisholtzville. Unfortunately the old¬ 
est tombs here have field-stone markers without inscrip¬ 
tion. But the very fact that over 200 interments were 
made before 1815, points to very early church activities. 
Family Bibles, baptismal certificates, minutes of Synod, 
and the records of neighboring congregations inform us 
that our ancestors here were not without the Means of 
Grace during this early schoolhouse, missionary epoch. 
Whole classes of catechumens, instructed by students or 
assistant pastors, were confirmed in the older Lehigh 
Church near Alburtis by ordained pastors. The Revs. Jacob 
Friedrich Schertlein, Phillip Jacob Michael, Daniel Lehman, 
Doering, Wartman, and Dechant served these people during 
the early schoolhouse period. 

II. The First Church Period. A better day dawned 
when the congregations grew strong enough to erect their 
first church. This was in 1815. The corner-stone was laid 
May 30, 1814. During this period records were kept, which 
are still well preserved. The articles of agreement, then 
drawn up, are still in force. The building committee was 
the following: David Rauch, Conrad Fegley, Jacob Gehris, 
and Jacob Fry. The trustees were: Conrad Fegley and 
Jacob Gehris, to whom land for the church was deeded, 
December 30, 1818, by Frederick Huff, Jr., and Barbara 
(Fink), his wife, for 5 shillings sold one acre, and 104 
perches, which was part of a large tract of 339 acres and 
133 perches, which Jacob Bower, Esq., High Sheriff, con¬ 
veyed August 10, 1799, to Henry Hoffman, who with his 
wife Elizabeth, by assignment conveyed the same to Fred- 


78 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


erick Huff, on February 2, 1790. This was John Freedrick 
Huff, Sr., for the indenture goes on to state that he in turn 
sold, January 27, 1812, of this large tract 7 acres and 36 
perches, together with other land, to his son, Frederick 
Huff, “partie” to our deed. Although 5 shillings are men¬ 
tioned, to make the deed legal, it was really a donation to 
the congregation. 

The church of 1814-15 was of stone, square in appear¬ 
ance, with square windows of small panes, high, with 3 
galleries, and other characteristics of the old-time church. 
It had a “wine-glass” pulpit, with a sounding board over 
it. In 1865 the pipe organ was introduced and was erected 
by Edwin Krause from Palm. This first church was fre¬ 
quently repaired and remained in use until 1881. 

III. The Second Church Period. About the time of 
the great National Centennial of 1876, the matter of erect¬ 
ing a larger house of God was upon the hearts of the mem¬ 
bers for the old church was too small, especially for funerals 
and festival occasions. 

The iron ore industry in eastern Pennsylvania being 
at its height about this time, (Hereford Township has rich 
hematite ore deposits) there was a new influx of popula¬ 
tion and thus the agitation for a new church became greater 
than before and finally the enterprise was launched. The 
new and present church was erected under the pastorates 
of the Rev. D. K. Humbert and the Rev. Eli Keller, D. D. 

With the stones of the old, the foundations of the new 
were built on the same location. The basement only was 
thus walled up with rough masonry. The new being so 
much larger than the old, all of the stones of the former 
edifice were not sufficient for the foundations of the pres¬ 
ent edifice. The superstructure was built of bricks. The 
dimensions of the. church are 90 x 60 feet. 

The church has a fine high steeple, containing a bell 
weighing 2,200 pounds. The entire cost of the building 
is estimated at $20,000. Rev. Eli Keller, D. D., made a 
note to the effect that about $3,000 of gratuitous labor was 
bestowed. The basement is divided into several apart¬ 
ments, a large room for the main Sunday School, one for 
the primary department, and a third for the meeting of 


79 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


the executive officers, instruction of catechumens, etc. 
This last named room has separate heating facilities. 

The main auditorium is on the second floor, high in 
ceiling, with galleries on three sides and seating capacity 
for 1200 persons. The walls and ceilings are beautifully 
frescoed and embellished with life-sized paintings of Moses, 
St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke and St. John. In the pul¬ 
pit recess is a portrait of Christ holding the open Book, 
showing the words:—“Wer mich bekennet vor den Menchen, 
den will Ich bekennen vor meinem himmlischen Vater,’’— 
Matt. 10:32. In the lower vestibule the entering wor¬ 
shipers are greeted with these words, spread over a large 
rainbow curve: “Der Herr ist in Seinem Heiligem Temple. 
Es sei vor Ihm Stille alle Welt.” Hab. 2:20. 

The large marble corner-stone was laid June 5, 1881, 
the old corner-stone of May 30, 1814, having been placed 
underneath. 

On November 27, 1881, the basement was dedicated. 
Rev. N. S. Strassberger preached one of the sermons. The 
collection on this day was $90. 

The new church was completed in 1883, and on Whit¬ 
suntide, May 13-14, it was dedicated. The Rev. L. Groh 
of Boyertown, then president of the Third District Con¬ 
ference, preached on Whitsunday morning; Rev. Dr. H. A. 
Reiser, raised in the community, in the afternoon; Rev. 
Augustus L. Dechant on Whitmonday morning; and Rev. 
G. F. Spieker, D. D.; of Kutztown, in the afternoon. 

The names of the building committee are found in 
large letters in the upper vestibule: John Rauch, John 
Geisinger, Charles N. Gery, Samuel Bittenbender. 

Rev. James N. Blatt is the present Reformed pastor. 

The following is a list of Lutheran pastors: Revs. 
Jacob Miller, D. D., 1814; Doering, 1814-1818; Wartman, 
1817-1820; Conrad Mueller or Miller, possibly 1821-1828; 
Isaac Roeller, 1829-1861; Benjamin Elias Kramlich, 1861- 
1863; Alfred DeLong Croll, 1864-1868; Simon R. Boyer, 
1869-1872; David Kidling Humbert, 1872-1902; Henry W. 
Warmkessel, assistant to the former during his last few 
years of service; John William Early, 1902-1904 (supply 
pastor) ; William Franklin Bond, 1904 to—. 


80 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The united congregations celebrated their One Hun¬ 
dredth Anniversary on Reformation Day, October 31, 1915. 
The weather was fine and the people gathered in large 
numbers. 

A society for young people is in a flourishing con¬ 
dition. 

The Rev. H. M. Schofer of Aristes, Pa., and his brother, 
the Rev. J. A. Schofer, of Baltic, Ohio, are sons of this 
church. 


LONGSWAMP, LONGSWAMP TOWNSHIP 


^fl^jfl^HAT is now known as the Longswamp Union 
tfl il 1 Church was exclusively Reformed for about 
yw 200 years. The present edifice of the two con¬ 
gregations is located on the northern slope of the South 
Mountains about half a mile south of Shamrock Station. 
The Little Lehigh River has its rise in this territory. A 
goodly number of settlers were in these regions as early 
as 1734. The first came from Oley to the southwest; and 
from Goshenhoppen to the southeast. Most of them were 
members of the Reformed Church. 

Rev. W. A. Helffrich, D. D. states that originally the 
name of the congregation was the “Little Lehigh Church”. 
Thus the Rev. Father Michael Schlatter, pioneer of the 
Reformed Church, mentions it as such in his records. 
However, the name “Longswamp”, as now applied to the 
Church, was introduced as early as 1762. This name is 
said to have originated from the fact that along the whole 
length of “Toad Run” (Krottecrick), a small stream of 
water flowing eastward from near Topton along this ridge, 
until it empties into the Little Lehigh; the land was 
marshy, and so the swamp strip was called the “Long- 
swamp”. Another story goes that a number of people 
by the name of Long or Lang owned this swampy land, and 
was called therefore Long’s Swamp. This name was natur¬ 
ally contracted to “Longswamp”. The present name 
“Longsdale” would seem to justify such a supposition. 

It is said that the congregation was organized in 1748. 
The first church stood near where the present toolhouse 


81 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


stands in the cemetery. The building committee consisted 
of Joseph Biry and Samuel Burger or Borger. Among those 
who aided in the work were Leopold Greber, Theobald Carl, 
Jacob Fenstermacher, Peter Butz, Johannes Fried, Nico- 

\ 





LONGSWAMP CHURCH 

laus Schwartz, Nicolaus, David and Peter Mertz, Heinrich 
Bolinger, Christian Ruth, Philip Burger, Nicholaus and 
Peter Reiser, Peter Walbert, Bernhard Fegeh, Heinrich 
Strickner, Jacob Lang, Heinrich Egner, David DeLong, 
Jacob Daniel, Yost H. Sassamanshausen who was said not 


82 













LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

to have been a member, but contributed money and donated 
land. The church was built of logs, the interstices being 
filled with small blocks of wood and plastered over with 
clay. The seats were hewn planks. It is not stated whether 
the floor was of brick, of stone or the native earth. This 
building remained in use till 1791. 

Preparations for a new church were made in 1790. 
There was some difference of opinion as to the proper 
location. This was finally decided according to an old 
Palatinate custom of the men throwing their hats to the 
point desired. The second church was placed somewhat 
further up the slope at a spot which lies within the present 
cemetery. The corner-stone was laid by Rev. Henry Haert- 
zel or Huetzel on May 28, 1791. When completed it was 
also dedicated by him. 

It was in this exclusively Reformed Church that the 
Longswamp Lutheran congregation was organized in 1817. 
At first for a given period the Lutherans paid a nominal 
rent. At the expiration of the term, the compact was re¬ 
newed. When this was again to be renewed, a difference 
of opinion arose. Some of the Reformed themselves wanted 
the Lutherans admitted to equal rights. Others opposed it. 
The result of this feeling was that most of the Lutherans 
and a small number of the Reformed withdrew in 1837 and 
built a union church at Mertztown. Later the remaining 
Lutherans at Longswamp were given a right to the prop¬ 
erty and so the church became union. 

In 1848, September 30th, and October 1st, the centen¬ 
nial was celebrated in this second edifice. It was the first 
one observed in the vicinity and was largely attended. The 
speakers were: Revs. Kessler, Eichenberg and S. K. Brobst. 

The present, substantial stone edifice was placed a 
little higher up the slope than either of the two former 
ones. In the early part of 1852 the building of a larger 
church was agitated. To test the feeling of the people, 
Rev, W. A. Helffrich, then a young man, was appointed to 
solicit subscriptions. In a few days it was ascertained 
that the necessary amount could be raised. Arrangements 
were made to begin the work at once, and to complete it 
before the end of the year. However, on May 5 and 6, the 


83 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

Lord’s Supper was once more celebrated in the old church. 
The work of demolition began on May 7. The contents of 
the corner-stone were found wasted. On May 9, 1852, the 
corner-stone of the new building was laid. The ministers 
who took part in this service were: Rev. Jeremiah Schin- 
del, Lutheran; Rev. Augustus Dechant and Rev. W. A. 
Helffrich, D. D., Reformed. On Christmas, the church 
was dedicated. On this occasion Revs. J. Schindel, S. K. 
Brobst, G. A. Hinterleitner, D. D., Lutheran, and Erasmus 
Helffrich, and, though not mentioned, no doubt also W. A. 
Hblffrich, D. D., Reformed, took part in the services. 

The new and now union constitution, dated May 6th, 
1852, provides in Article 4, that “The landed property be¬ 
longing to this church and schoolhouse, which (land) was 
formerly taken up by the Reformed as an original grant 
(per Yost H. Sassamanhausen) and to which a section was 
added later by purchase, as also the church that is now 
being erected, shall be and remain a joint possession by the 
Lutherans as well as the Reformed for us and our pos¬ 
terity, etc.” 

The church is a large one-room edifice, without base¬ 
ment, excepting for the heating plant, with deep galleries 
on three sides, and has a pipe organ on the west facing 
the pulpit. The location is so elevated as to give a full 
view of the East Penn Valley spreading itself out east 
toward Allentown, north to the Blue Mountains and west 
toward Kutztown and Reading. 

During the years 1911 and 1912 the house of God was 
remodeled to the extent of $5,550. The improvements in¬ 
cluded a gasoline lighting plant, since changed to electric 
illumination, and a new steam-heating system. A sub¬ 
stantial concrete wall surmounted with a churchly looking 
cement fence was erected around the churchyard. The 
high steeple was a constant expense and cause of anxiety. 
Vibrating with storms, it produced leaks in the roof over 
the pipe organ, and was several times struck by lightning. 
Thus it was decided that the steeple should be replaced 
with a short, broad, substantial tower. From this tower 
the call of the sonorous old bell can be heard even farther 
than from the former steeple. Art windows replaced those 


84 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



BEFORE REMODELING 

of clear glass. The large window in the pulpit recess was 
walled up and a fine painting of the Ascension now adorns 
the once open space. The Ladies’ Aid Society presented a 
handsome brass altar rail. The whole edifice has been 
painted externally, and frescoed and painted internally. 


85 





















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The floors are covered with an excellent quality of carpet, 
and new pews furnish comfortable seats in the lower part 
of the church, and opera chairs in the galleries. The high 
ceiling, the long-type panel decorations and the proportions 
are all very pleasing. Best of all the acoustic properties 
are most excellent. The edifice has a capacity for 700 
or more. 

The rededicatory services were held on Whitsunday, 
May 26, 1912. The morning sermon was preached by Rev. 
J. F. Lambert, a classmate of the Lutheran pastor. The 
sermon in the afternoon was preached by Rev. George Sti- 
bitz, D. D., Professor in the Central Theological Reformed 
Seminary, at Dayton, Ohio. Rev. Frank P. Laros of Albur- 
tis, Pa., delivered the evening sermon. A dozen other pas¬ 
tors spoke at the Sunday School session and took part dur¬ 
ing the day. 

There is a large and well regulated cemetery here, 
controlled by a board of trustees, elected by the two con¬ 
gregations. The congregations also own some 35 acres of 
land, much of it in timber. Each congregation has its 
own constitution modeled after the one recommended by 
its higher body. 

Rev. William L. Meckstroth, is the present Reformed 
pastor. 

The following is a list of Lutheran pastors:—Revs. 
Jacob Miller, D. D., 1817-1822; Conrad Miller, 1822-1831; 
Isaac Roeller, 1831-1837; C. A. Griebler, (candidate, li¬ 
censed in 1846) 1844-46; Jeremiah Schindel, 1847 or 8-1852; 
G. A. Hinterleitner, D. D., as supply, 1853-1857; Ferdinand 
Berkemeyer, 1857-1858 or 9; E. H. M. Sell, 1859-1861; 
Alfred DeLong Croll, 1862-1868, in April; Simon R. Boyer, 
from fall, 1868-1872; David Kidling Humbert, from fall of 
1872-1903; Henry W. Warmkessel, assistant to Rev. Hum¬ 
bert for a few years. John William Early, supply 1903-4. 
William Franklin Bond, Nov. 1904 to— 


86 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH 

NEW JERUSALEM, ROCKLAND TOWNSHIP 

/^fc^HIS is now practically a union church, though the 
lw\ congregation was organized originally as an ex- 
clusively Lutheran body, a daughter of Christ Luth¬ 
eran at Dryville, a mile further north. 

The village of New Jerusalem is situated three miles 
south of both Bowers and Lyons. The church is located on 
the right-hand side of the public highway leading on south¬ 
ward to Friedensburg and the beautiful Oley Valley. Tra¬ 
dition says that the village of New Jerusalem was named 
after the Church, and not the Church after the village. 
However, after a careful study of the earliest documents, 
the writer is of the opinion, that the settlement was named 
before the congregation was organized. 

The reason as locally given for the withdrawal of a 
part of the membership from the Dryville congregation to 
form this one at New Jerusalem, is, that about 1840 the 
younger element of the mother congregation preferred a 
younger pastor, while the older people clung to the ex¬ 
perienced and beloved pastor, the Rev. John Knoske. At 


87 









LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


an election held the younger element won out, and the 
older people then withdrew. Suffice it to say that the 
congregation was largely organized for the convenience 
of the people and the neighborhood. The church at Dryville 
is and always was exclusively Lutheran. The desire on the 
part of many for a union church no doubt helped in the 
establishment of New Jerusalem. 

This latter supposition is substantiated by a study of 
the original German constitution of New Jerusalem. It 
was ably drawn up, evidently, by Rev. Daniel Kohler, and 
starts out as a purely Lutheran constitution. The church 
was to be erected as an exclusively Lutheran house of 
worship in which the pure Word of God was to be preached 
according to the firm foundation of the Prophets and 
Apostles, and the Holy Sacraments were to be administered 
according to the institution, establishment and command 
of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

There are ten articles all breathing a purely Lutheran 
intention; and yet, in the very preamble of this otherwise 
strongly drawn-up Lutheran constitution, provision is al¬ 
ready made for a union church. “Wenn aber in der Zukunft 
die Nachbare und Brueder der Evangelisch Reformirten 
Kirche all hier zu einer Gemeine sich bilden und einen 
Reformirten Prediger annehmen wollen, so soil auch schon 
der mit uns gleiche Gebrauch gestattet werden; wie auch 
gleich nach der Erbaung der Kirche, bei Leichen-Begraeb- 
nissen, jedem ordinirden Reformirten Prediger mit brueder- 
licher Liebe gegoennt werden/’ 

Thus, the Reformed “neighbors” were provided with a 
church home. The corner-stone of the first church was 
laid April 20, 1840, on half an acre of ground donated by 
Andrew Schiffert. Afterwards two more acres were ob¬ 
tained from the Herbein farm and set apart for a ceme¬ 
tery. The following were present and all in their own hand 
writing signed the constitution. Rev. Daniel Kohler who 
seems to have taken a leading part in the organization of 
the congregation; Jeremiah Schindel, Isaac Miesse, Chris¬ 
toph Friedrich. The last two are bracketed together and 
noted as “preachers present at the corner-stone laying”. 
The following were the officials of the church at this 


88 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


time:—Building Committee, Ludwig Folk, Andreas Schif- 
fert, Wilhelm Klauser; Trustees, Friederich Bauer, Jacob 
Mertz, Heinrich Schlegel; Elders, Johannes Fister, Ernst 
Fox, Benjamin Wertz; Deacons, Gideon Angstadt, David 
Roth, Johannes Miller, Jonas Bauer, Andanas Walb, Jacob 
Schlegel. 

The church was dedicated Saturday and Sunday, Octo¬ 
ber 3 and 4, 1840. On Saturday afternoon the “preliminary 
sermons'’ were delivered by Pastors John Knoske and 
Daniel Kohler. The former used as his text, Exodus 40:9; 
the latter II Chronicles 6:40-42. The dedication proper 
took place on Sunday forenoon. The address delivered by 
Rev. Knoske at this time appears in full in his own hand 
upon the pages of the church record. At this service Rev. 
Jeremiah Schindel preached on Psalms 84:1. In the after¬ 
noon the pulpit was filled by Rev. Isaac Miese, a Reformed 
pastor. 

The cost of the church was $2151.53. By December 26, 
1840, the debt had been reduced to $877.39. Upon the 
aforesaid day, twelve men were elected to the Church 
Council. During the year of 1840, Pastor Knoske gave his 
salary of $60.53 to the building fund. 

A pipe organ was procured in 1858. The church was 
renovated in 1870 at a cost of $233.50. The Reformed con¬ 
gregation was organized during the year following the 
dedication of the church. The present pastor, Rev. Isaac 
S. Stahr, has served since 1885. 

The following is a list of the Lutheran pastors:— 
Revs. John Knoske, 1840-1846; C. A. Griebeer mentioned 
in 1841-1842; J. Carl Schmidt, January 26, 1845, (possibly 
sent by Rev. Knoske) ; Daniel Kohler, January 1847-1850; 
John Grimm, mentioned in 1851; G. A. Hinterleitner, D. D., 
1852-1866; Alfred D. Croll, 1867-1869; Simon R. Boyer, 
1869-1871; Daivd K. Humbert, 1872-1903; Henry W. Warm- 
kessel assisted Rev. Humbert for several years; John W. 
Early supplied during parts of 1903 and 1904; and Wm. 
F. Bond, November 1904 to—. 

For sometime it was felt that the old church of 1840 
was no longer adequate for the growing congregation and 
active Sunday' School. The edifice needed repairs and 


89 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


opinion was somewhat divided on whether to remodel and 
enlarge the old, or build a new house of worship. Another 
question arose, should each congregation build for itself, 
or join hands and erect a union church. Upon careful 
reflection the latter opinion prevailed. Thus on May 20, 
1916, ten articles of agreement were signed by the officers 
of the two congregations to the effect that a new Lutheran 
church should be built, but that the Reformed should not 
be forgotten, that they should have the privilege of wor¬ 
shiping on the alternate Sunday in the new building as 
in the old; that the Sunday School be left undis¬ 
turbed, but better provided for with a suitable annex and 
equipment; that all should contribute, as they were able, 
to the new church, but an account kept of the contribu¬ 
tions, and, if at a later day the Reformed desired to build 
for themselves, their contributions should be refunded 
without interest, (the use of the church being their inter¬ 
est) with such proportionate deduction as the property may 
then have depreciated, leaving that decision to a committee 
of three disinterested judges. This was a happy arrange¬ 
ment and infused everybody with new life. The old church 
was removed. The good material was used in the erec¬ 
tion of the new. 

As soon as August 6, of the same year that articles 
of agreement were drawn up, the foundation was ready 
for the laying of the corner-stone. At this service on the 
Seventh Sunday after Trinity, amidst a large gathering 
of people, the following pastors participated morning and 
afternoon:—Rev. R. B. Lynch, Kutztown, Pa., president of 
the Reading Conference; Rev. A. E. Youse, Myerstown, 
Pa.; Rev. Charles E. Schaeffer, D. D., Philadelphia, super¬ 
intendent of Missions of the Reformed Church, and the 
two pastors. In the corner-stone were placed:—the Bible, 
two catechisms, the constitution and by-laws, the articles 
of agreement, a year-book of 1916, coins of 1916, an Ameri¬ 
can flag, a list of the officers and names of the building 
committee in addition to 177 names of people who each 
made a special donation. 

The building committee consisted of Samuel B. Funk, 
Benjamin S. Sheetz and William B. Eckert, the last-named 


90 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


having been chief mason. Ambrose Hoffman of Fleetwood 
was carpenter foreman. Architect Heilman of Reading pre¬ 
pared the plans. 

The Sunday School annex stands on the east side of 
the main auditorium on the exact spot where the old church 
stood. The new church is built of native stone stuccoed. 
The main entrance to the church is through a stately tower 
resting on its own foundations. The building is heated by 
steam and lit with oil lamps. When the Sunday School 
room is thrown into the main auditorium, the church has 
a total seating capacity of 700. The sonorous old bell and 
the recently repaired pipe organ still give good service. 
All of the windows contain beautiful art glass. Labor and 
material to the amount of about $5,000. were donated. All 
the donors could not possibly be mentioned. Suffice it to 
say that one presented the slate for the entire roof. Another 
sawed all the heavy timber, the finest of trees being cut 
for the heavy beams. The church was dedicated practi¬ 
cally free from debt and was then valued at $15,000.00. 

The church was dedicated on Sunday, August 19, 1917. 
Besides the pastors of the two congregations, the following 
were present:—Revs. John W. Early, R. B. Lynch, Dr. E. 
S. Brownmiller, H. W. Warmkessel, Horace B. Ritter, A. E. 
Youse, W. H. Kline, Lutheran; and Revs. J. G. Dengler, 
George B. Smith and James N. Blatt, Reformed. 

While the church was in process of erection, the con¬ 
gregations worshiped in the local town hall, but Holy Com¬ 
munion was solemnized in the Dryville Church. 

The congregation has given two sons to the ministry: 
Rev. A. E. Youse, of Myerstown, Pa., and Rev. David H. 
Frederick of Audenried, Pa. 


ST. JOHN’S, BOYERTOWN 

^j^S EARLY as 1809, a preaching point existed, known 
V / I as Boyers, which was assigned by the Lutheran 
Synod of Pennsylvania to the pastor at Falkner 
Swamp (New Hanover). An organization was effected or 
in existence in 1811, known as the Boyertown congregation. 
The first official record is by the pen of Rev. Jacob Miller 
recording the baptism of Rebecca, a daughter of Henry and 


91 


LUTHERANS IN B\E RKS COUNTY 


Elizabeth Sassaman, on June 30th, 1811, the sponsors being 
Henry and Sarah Boyer. Thus the name of the town and 
the congregation are linked together by the name of one 
of the founders of both. 



ST. JOHN’S CHURCH, BOYHRTOWN 

The members of the Lutheran and Reformed denom¬ 
inations united in erecting a union church in 1811, on land 
donated by Henry Stauffer (another prominent family in 
local civil and church affairs), adjoining the Mennonite, 


92 


























LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


now West Philadelphia avenue. It was a brick structure, 
50 by 40 feet, and was occupied jointly until 1872, when 
the Lutherans withdrew. It was torn down to be replaced 
by a new Reformed church, which was dedicated in 1876. 

The first pastor of St. John’s was Rev. Jacob Miller, 
D. D., who served to May, 1829, when he became pastor 
of Trinity Church, Reading. 

Rev. Conrad Miller, a brother of the preceeding, suc¬ 
ceeded him in the pastorate of the parish, which consisted 
of New Hanover, Boyertown, Hill, Sassamansville and 
Keeler’s Churches. He died October 9, 1852. 

Rev. Nathan Iaeger, the third pastor, served from 
1853 to October, 1857. He was followed by Rev. Henry 
Wendt from 1858 to the close of 1864, when he became the 
superintendent of the Orphans’ Home at Germantown. 
During his term the salary of the minister was $200.00; 
that of the organist, $35.00; and of the sexton, $16.00, 
with services once in four weeks. 

Rev. Abraham H. Groh was elected to the pastorate 
on Feb. 26, 1865, and served less than one year. His health 
was failing and he died soon after from consumption, at 
the age of 27 years. During his time the Swamp and 
Boyertown congregations were constituted a parish. The 
latter voted on this proposition on September 23, 1865. 

Of the six former pastors of St. John’s, Rev. Leonard 
Groh, D. D., served the longest in her history. He had 
supplied the parish of his invalid cousin, and was elected 
pastor on March 10, 1866. During his pastorate the parish 
and especially the Boyertown congregation made rapid 
strides. A new church was erected, more frequent services 
were held, the work of general benevolence put on a sound 
basis, the salary of the pastor raised to $500.00 in 1872, 
and when the congregation separated from the mother 
Church to become self-sustaining, on June 25, 1886, the 
salary was made $800.00 per annum. In 1891, Rev. Groh 
handed in his resignation to go into effect on April 1st. 
He was since serving congregations in Nebraska. For eight 
years he was a trustee of Muhlenberg College and for ten 
years the president of his conference. 


93 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



THE UNION CHURCH 

On May 6, 1869, the congregation decided to separate 
from the Reformed in the ownership of the union church. 
But all good things take time. On May 7, 1870, the con¬ 
gregation voted on incorporation, the articles of which were 
adopted on March 4, 1871, and approved by the court on 
April 22. On March 6th a building committee was selected, 
which consisted of Aaron Mory, Wm. Binder, Dr. T. J. B. 
Rhoads, Jacob Merkel and Jeremiah Romich. A plot of 
ground, 100 feet on North Reading avenue, 210 feet deep, 
was bought of Jeremiah Schaeffer for $3,000.00. The build¬ 
ing, 90 by 55 feet, erected thereon was dedicated on the 
17th and 18th of August, 1872. The cost including organ, 
was about $23,000. The congregation sold its one-half in¬ 
terest in the union church for $2,000.00. In 1882 a steeple 
rising to the height of 172 feet was erected at a cost of 
$ 2 , 000 . 00 . 


94 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Rev. Charles C. Boyer, Ph. D., who had supplied the 
pulpit during the protracted illness of Rev. Groh, was 
elected on April 25, 1891. He organized an efficient Ladies’ 
Aid Society on February 1, 1892. During his incumbency 
the Sunday School increased so rapidly that provisions had 
to be made for larger quarters. It was decided to build an 
addition to the rear of the church, 55 by 20 feet, the lower 
floor to be a primary room, the second floor to contain a 
pastor’s study and Church Council room, the organ to be 
removed from the gallery to a space in the new part facing 
the congregation, at the left of the chancel, and other im¬ 
provements. The building committee consisted of Dr. T. J. 
B. Rhoads, Wm. K. Grim, Jeremiah H. Romich, Joshua Bahr 
and Amos Hartman. The work was barely started when 
Dr. Boyer felt constrained to resign in order to fill a pro¬ 
fessor’s chair in the Kutztown Normal School. His resigna¬ 
tion took effect on July 31, 1893. 



THE PARSONAGE 

Rev. Adam M. Weber was elected pastor on September 
30, 1893 and began his work on Nov. 5th. The church 
with its additions and alterations was rededicated on Febru¬ 
ary 3 and 4, 1894. The cost was $4,500.00. This amount, 
as well as the cost of the steeple, was collected by George 
R. Yorgey. During the summer of 1898, a parsonage was 
erected on North Reading avenue, about one-fourth of a 
block from the church. The cost was $3840.00. The com- 


95 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

mittee that had charge of its erection were Jeremiah Ro- 
mich, Joshua Bahr, Amos Hartman, Edwin Houck and Irvin 
Buchert. The congregation paid the first installment of 
SI,000.00 on the property of the Orphans' Home at Topton, 
thus securing its establishment, and has been represented 
on its Board of Trustees from its founding by H. H. Reinert 
and the pastor. 

Centennial services were held on June 25th, 1911, the 
same being the 381st anniversary of the adoption of the 
Augsburg Confession. Pastors Groh, Boyer and Weber 
officiated. 

Three sons of the congregation have lately entered 
the Lutheran ministry—Ernest A. Weber, Ehvood K. 
Schwenk, and Clarence H. Swavely. The latter is a mission¬ 
ary in India. 

FRIEDEN’S, BERNVILLE 

-^RIEDEN’S congregation of Bernville was organized 
by Rev. John Casper Stoever in 1730 and was 
s+JJ served by him until 1747 and again in 1762 and 
1763 and in part until 1770. Rev. Stoever was succeeded 
by Rev. John Nicholas Kurtz from 1747 to 1762. The con¬ 
gregation was then served by Rev. Emanuel Schulze, Sr., 
1770-1789 and by Rev. John Andrew Schultze, Jr., 1796 to 
1802. His son Andrew retired from the ministry in 1806 
and entering politics, eventually was elected governor of 
the state. Rev. John Knoske became pastor for one year, 
1807 to 1808; Rev. Henry Remensnyder, 1808 to 1810; Rev. 
Daniel Ulrich, 1811 to 1839; Rev. Marcus Harpel, 1840- 
1845; Rev. J. C. Smith, 1845-1855; Rev. Charles Russ, 
1856-1858; Rev. Hugo Grahn, 1858-1866; Rev. Thomas 
Steck, 1866-1868; Rev. D. D. Trexler, 1868-1876; Rev. J. 
J. Cressman, 1877-1901; Rev. C. E. Kistler, supply, 1901- 
1903; Rev. H. L. Straub, 1903-1905; vacant for 6 years, sup¬ 
plied by Rev. D. G. Gerberich, 1906-1912; united to Center- 
port Parish in 1912 with Rev. L. R. Miller, pastor, Dec. 
15th, 1912 to present time. 

In 1747, Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg administered the Holy 
Communion to this congregation as the congregation seems 


96 



FRIEDEN'S CHURCH, BERNVILLE 

When the first church was built cannot definitely be 
stated. It must have been some time after 1733. An old 
record states that Rev. Stoever began his labors in 1730 
among these people but did not or could not take regular 
charge of the work until 1733, when he was ordained in a 
barn. This would show that in 1733 there was no church 
building. 

But we have a record of the second church. It states 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

to have been without a pastor. The following is written 
in an old record under date of July 5, 1747: “Muhlenberg 
preached at Northkill in Bethel Township, Lancaster County 
(now Berks) on the Gospel of the Lost and Found Sheep, 
Luke 15. Baptized several children. Confirmed some of 
the young people. There was much deep religious feeling. 
Dispensed the Lord’s Supper. In the afternoon hastened 
to another appointment 8 miles off to Tulpehocken to 
preach at 3 o’clock. 


97 












LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

that in 1791 the old church building was so poor and rotten 
that a new edifice was erected. The members being few 
and very poor, collectors were authorized to go to neighbor¬ 
ing congregations to collect for the building of the new 
church. 

Up to 1834 this church was entirely Lutheran. That 
same year the church was made union by 36 Lutherans and 
16 Reformed, who it seems were ignorant of the instru¬ 
ment extant forbidding such a step. Old writings show 
that the ground was donated in 1745 by two Lutherans on 
condition that the church remain Lutheran forever. The 
following is the agreement in the form of a will, found 
among the old records of Frieden’s Church, Bernville: “I 
the undersigned, for myself and my heirs and assigns 
hereby and by virtue of these presents promise that I will 
measure out an acre of my land where it is most suitable 
and convenient for the newly built Evangelical Lutheran 
Frieden’s Church and I will pay for the same to the pro¬ 
prietor and this shall be a present from me and my heirs 
and posterity and so continue as long as this church re¬ 
mains on this spot and shall be called an Evangelical Luth¬ 
eran Church forever; I hereunto bind myself and my 
heirs in 50 pounds of Pennsylvania currency. Witness my 
hand and seal this 25th day of December, 1745. 

SAMUEL FILBERT. Seal. 

Witnesses: 

Rev. John Casper Stoever 

Jacob Hartman 

John George Haag 

Albrecht Strause.” 

In May, 1897, the Frieden’s Lutheran congregation de¬ 
cided to build a purely Lutheran Church on the old Luth¬ 
eran ground, offering the Reformed congregation $1,000.00 
for a peaceable settlement. The Reformed also decided to 
build and purchased ground opposite the old church. They 
decided with a faction of the Lutherans to make the church 
union, which accounts for two Lutheran Churches in the 
small town of Bernville. 

The present Frieden’s Lutheran Church is entirely 
built of brownstone in Gothic style 50 feet by 70 feet. 


98 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


and a chapel attached 50 feet by 38 feet, making the front 
of the church and chapel combined 88 feet. The seating 
capacity is 800. 


NORTH HEIDELBERG, NORTH HEIDELBERG 

TOWNSHIP 



ORTH Heidelberg Lutheran and Reformed Church 
is the only church in the eastern part of North 
Heidelberg Township. The church it situated on 
land donated by Tobias Bickel in the year 1744. Formerly 
the people of this section attended Reed’s Church . In the 
year 1744 the Moravian settlement in the eastern part of 
the township decided to have a church of its own. A log 
church was built on the lot donated by Tobias Bickel in 
1744 and dedicated on November 4, 1744 by the Moravian 
Synod. On April 9th, 1745, a Moravian congregation was 
organized by Bishop Spangenberg. The members consisted 
of Tobias Bickel, George F. Bickel, Stephen Brecht, John 
Fisher and John Fisher, Jr., Frederick Gerhart, Nicholas 
Glass, John Graefer, John Zerbe and their wives and John 
Keller, widower. 



NORTH HEIDELBERG CHURCH 


99 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

A schoolhouse and parsonage combined was also 
erected and occupied by Daniel Neihart afterwards by 
Werner, Weile, Blatzer and Polk as teachers. Moravian 
pastors preached here regularly until 1830. Then a de¬ 
cline set in and only a few meetings were held. The Mora¬ 
vian congregation disbanded. No Moravian services are 
held at present. 

In the year 1835 the Lutheran and Reformed congrega¬ 
tions were organized at this place by Rev. Minnig, Lutheran 
and Rev. Miesse, Reformed, and again regular services were 
held. In 1864 the present church was built by the Lutheran 
and Reformed assisted by the Moravians who were still 
there. The church is a brick structure with a gallery and 
pipe organ. The cemetery is neatly enclosed, somewhat 
after the custom of the Moravians. 

The following pastors have served: Revs. Minnig; J. 
J. Cressman; D. D. Trexler; C. E. Kistler; W. K. Fisher; 
and L. R. Miller, the present pastor since 1912. 

During the summer of 1916 this church was exten¬ 
sively renovated and reopened for services on October 16. 
Rev. Dr. J. Max Hark of Lebanon, a Moravian pastor, 
preached the sermon. Rev. Dr. James L. Becker and Rev. 
H. S. Kidd assisted. Music was furnished by the Moravian 
Trombone Quartet of Bethlehem rendering effectively the 
old chorals of the Moravian Church. The Lutheran Church 
Choir of Womelsdorf rendered several suitable selections. 
The day was one of great happiness—the church having 
been reopened, the debts of renovation paid, and a trust 
fund of $3000.00 raised for the maintenance of both the 
old Moravian and the new cemeteries. 

The congregation on the Lutheran side is small but 
very active. 


BELLEMAN’S, CENTRE 'TOWNSHIP 


ALEM’S (Belleman’s) Church is located in the south¬ 
western section of Centre Township, Berks Co., 
Pa. Tradition has it that the name “Belleman’s” 
was given to this church many years ago, because many 
members of that name belonged to the Lutheran congre- 



100 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


gation. The name “Belleman’s” is so well known among 
its members that many of them would not recognize the 
name “Salem’s”. Tradition has it that the first church 
was built of logs in the northwestern corner of the old 
cemetery. It is, however, definitely known that this church 
was built in the year 1746. An old German Bible belong¬ 
ing to this church has written on the fly-leaf, that it was 



BELLEMAN’S CHURCH 


bought in the year 1767 on the 12th day of April, and paid 
for by 20 members of the Church. 

On August 14, 1813, both the Reformed and Lutheran 
congregations met in order to decide whether or not a 
new church should be built. It was decided to build, be¬ 
cause it was highly necessary. It was further decided that 
the church be built of stone. Only three votes were cast 
for a brick church. How it came about that the church 
which was erected was of brick is hard to understand. The 
following collectors were elected: Nicholas Klein, Casper 


101 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Freeman, Peter Ludwig, Valentine Mochel, Philip Klein 
and Martin Wertman. 

It was resolved that a constitution be drawn up and 
that Rev. Wm. Hendel constitute a committee to do so. 
The same was to be submitted to the congregation for adop¬ 
tion. The following building committee, three from each 
congregation was elected: Peter Ludwig, Jacob Himmel- 
berger, Jacob Loose, Nicholas Klein, Valentine Mockel and 
Simon Wertman. It was decided that all hauling must be 
done gratis. Philip Klein and Daniel Wertman were 



INTERIOR AS SEEN BY WORSHIPER 


appointed to act as business agents, or financial secre¬ 
taries, to supervise accounts, to give receipts, accept bills 
and keep strict account. The building committee was 
authorized to buy material, make contracts, so that the 
work of building might begin in the spring of 1814 and be 
completed by fall. 

On September 11, 1813, the constitution of Salem's 
Church was presented which contained the following:— 

1. The two congregations, Evangelical Lutheran and 
Reformed agree and obligate themselves to build and pay 
for the church. 

2. Each congregation elects and pays its own pastor. 
No pastor to be elected by either congregation who does 


102 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


not teach according to the doctrines of his own church 
and accompanies his teaching with a godly walk and con¬ 
versation. Should either congregation elect an unworthy 
pastor who deviates from this standard, the other shall 
have the right to restrain him, and not permit him to enter 
the church. In no other way is either congregation per¬ 
mitted to interfere in the affairs of the other. 

3. Alms money is to be handed to the deacon oldest 
in office for a period of one year, who shall then make 
settlement. Then the deacon of the other congregation 
oldest in office is to have charge of it for the next year 
and so on in rotation. 

4. The teacher of the school is to be elected jointly 
and paid by both congregations. 

5. In case of funerals, not knowing which of the two 
died first, the older shall have preference, or both may be 
buried together, i. e., at the same time by the same pastor. 

6. Each congregation is to have one elder and two dea¬ 
cons, the latter to be elected every two years but the former 
every four years. 

7. Unanimously resolved by the congregations that 
order and discipline according to the teaching of Christ 
be maintained. This to be in force for both congregations 
until amended or rescinded by a majority of both congre¬ 
gations. 

On August 27, 1820, Valentine Auge of Moselem was 
elected by the congregations. The following items were 
agreed upon:—Tuition 50c per scholar; $60.00 annually for 
playing organ, i. e., $30.00 in cash and the other half in 
produce at Reading market prices; sufficient feed for one 
cow to be brought well cured; sufficient firewood for school 
and family use; the congregations to plow and seed the 
farm, haul the manure and keep the fences in good repair. 
The teacher offered to cultivate the land himself, if he 
were given 1 bushel of oats and 1 or more bundles of straw 
to keep a horse. To this all agreed. Mr. Auge obligated 
himself to perform his duties faithfully. 

It is unfortunate that no correct data can be found as 
to who were the early pastors of this Church. It seems 


103 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


from the fragmentary records, that Frederick Mayor or 
Moyer, preached here for many years before 1813; that 
he was followed by Rev. Chas. G. Strein, who was followed 
by Rev. Carl Ph. Mueller, followed by Rev. Thomas Iaeger. 
In the year 1862 the Rev. B. D. Zweizig took charge of the 
congregation and preached for 39 years, until 1901. On 
April 1, 1901, the Rev. D. G. Gerberich became the pastor 
and continued his labors until April 1, 1912. On December 
15, 1912, Rev. L. R. Miller, the present pastor, took charge. 



INTERIOR AS SEEN BY PASTOR 

On June 6, 1915, the one hundredth anniversary of the 
building of the present church was fittingly celebrated. 
A joint service was held in the forenoon and afternoon. 
Both services were conducted by the present pastors, Rev. 
M. L. Herbine, Reformed, and Rev. L. R. Miller, Lutheran. 
The sermons in the forenoon were preached by former pas¬ 
tors of both congregations, the Rev. D. G. Gerberich, 
Lutheran, and Rev. R. S. Appel, Reformed. The after¬ 
noon sermons were preached by the sons of the congre¬ 
gations, Rev. James N. Blatt, Reformed, from old Zion- 


104 




























LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

ville, Pa., and Rev. Dr. James L. Becker, Lutheran, from 
Lansdale, Pa. 

It was then decided by both congregations at once to 
build a new church. But on account of a disagreement be¬ 
tween the two congregations as to location, building was 
deferred. On August 27, 1921, the Lutheran pastor had 
an interview with Mr. Wellington Dietrich of Reading, who 
offered $6,000 towards a new church, if the old would be 
kept standing as a relic. $5,000.00 of this amount was to 
be used at once in the erection of the new church, and 
$1,000.00 to be put in trust and the interest applied to 
maintain the old church. 



THE NEW BUILDING 


Mr. Howard Zerby, owner of the ground beyond the 
church, donated an acre for the new church, and Henry 
Phillip donated two acres beyond the street, or opposite the 
acre donated by Mr. Zerby, for parking purposes. 

Final action to proceed with the erection of the new 
church was taken at a joint meeting of both Church Coun¬ 
cils on October 2, 1921. At this time it was also decided 
to use brick with cement block trimmings, that the church 
auditorium should be 52 by 92 feet and the Sunday School 
room 32 by 52 feet, that these rooms should be separated 
by a movable partition and that the church should be erected 
on the new site beyond the cemetery. 

Building operations were begun in the spring of 1922. 
The corner-stone was laid on Sunday afternoon, July 23, of 
that year. 


105 












LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH 

ST. MICHAEL’S, TILDEN TOWNSHIP 

T. MICHAEL’S Lutheran and Reformed Church is 
CS) located near the centre of the township. The church 
property contains about 50 acres of ground includ¬ 
ing a large cemetery and a residence for the organist. The 
church is a large brick building with spacious galleries on 
three sides, and has a seating capacity of 1400. It is the 
largest country church in the county. It has a steeple and 
bell. The cost of the church was $18,000.00. The upper 
part of the building was dedicated in May, 1875. It was, 
however, erected the previous year. On the day of dedi- 


106 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

cation a careless smoker dropped a match in the woods 
near-by where the horses were tied. In the conflagration 
that followed 17 horses perished and 22 vehicles were 
destroyed. 

This is the third church building. The congregation 
was organized in 1769. Rev. Philip Jacob Michael, Re¬ 
formed and Rev. Peter Mischler, Lutheran were the pastors. 
A log church was built that year. The property then con¬ 
sisted of nearly 6 acres of ground bought from John Scholl- 
enberger. Soon afterwards 46 acres more were bought. 
The first church stood on what is now known as the old 
cemetery, and was used until 1811. 

The corner-stone of the second church was laid on 
August 5th, 1810. In a very short time this brick building 
without a spire was completed at a cost of 1308 pounds. 
The church was dedicated with all debts paid and a hand¬ 
some balance in the treasury. 

The Lutheran pastors were:—Peter Mischler; Daniel 
Schomacher; Miller; Daniel Lehman; John Knoske; Mar¬ 
cus Harpel; Carl J. C. Schmidt; T. T. Iaeger; 1861-1900, 
Rev. B. D. Zweizig; 1901-1912, Rev. D. G. Gerberich; 1912 
to—, present pastor, Rev. L. R. Miller. 

NEW BETHEL ZION’S, GREENWICH TOWNSHIP 

^•■^HE brave pioneers, driven from their fatherland by 
il oppression, found a home in Pennsylvania. The 
Germans settling in the vicinity of Grimsville brought 
with them their Bibles, hymnbooks, and prayerbooks, and 
thus kept up the religion in the home. They had occasional 
services by traveling missionaries, among the earliest being 
Count Zinzendorf, who visited America in 1742 and 
preached to the settlers of this vicinity from the balcony 
of Levan’s Mill at Eaglepoint. But these people soon re¬ 
alized, that to keep up their faith and properly transmit 
it to their children, they must have an organized congre¬ 
gation and a regular pastor to preach the Word and admin¬ 
ister the Sacraments, as well as instruct their children. In 
1761, possibly before any effort was made to build a church, 
Rev. Daniel Schumacher, then pastor of Allemangjel 
Church, now New Jerusalem’s Church, near Wessners- 


107 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


ville, confirmed a class of catechumens at Grimsville. In 
1761, September 8, the fathers purchased two acres and 
four perches of ground from George Earns, for two pounds 
or nine dollars and seventy-two cents, for Church purposes. 



NEW BETHEL ZIONS CHURCH 

On this ground they built their first church. It was of 
stone. King George III was ruler of England and this 
country was a colony of England. The corner-stone of the 
church was laid May 18, 1761, hence 14 years before the 
Declaration of Independence. This first church was con- 


108 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


secrated on October 3, 1762 by Rev. H. Schaum. While the 
church was exclusively Lutheran and called “Bethel’’ 
church, the Reformed living in the vicinity were given the 
privilege to use the church for occasional services and 
bury their dead in the cemetery. On February 19, 1763, 
the congregation through their trustees, George Kamp 
and Christian Ungerer, purchased from Michael Smith fifty 
acres of land for fifty pounds or two hundred and forty- 
three dollars for school purposes. After the first church 
had served its purpose for 41 years, on account of the in¬ 
crease of the congregation and the dilapidated condition of 
the building, it was deemed necessary and advisable to 
build a new church. 

The corner-stone was laid, on Whitmonday, May 30, 
1803, by Rev. John Frederick Obenhauser, who was then 
the pastor. At this time the name was changed to “New 
Bethel Zion’s” Lutheran Church and the same concession 
made to the Reformed 4 years ago was renewed. 

The new church, which stands today, was also built of 
stone and was finished in the short time of five months. 
This church was consecrated on the twenty-second Sunday 
after Trinity, November 6, 1803. The consecration took 
place when Thomas M. Kean was Governor of Pennsyl¬ 
vania. At the consecration, Rev. D. Geisenheiner preached 
the Lutheran sermon and Rev. H.Vonder Scloob, Reformed 
preached a second sermon, while the church was conse¬ 
crated by the pastor, Rev John Frederick Obenhausen. On 
Monday, November 7, the pastor preached. The building 
committee was composed of Michael Croll, John Derr, 
Heinrich Kohler and Andrew Kampf. 

In 1844 after the congregation had existed for 83 
years as exclusively Lutheran it was resolved to make it a 
union church. The Reformed were required to pay one 
hundred dollars for their rights to all the property and this 
amount was to be used for renovating the building. From 
this time, it became a union church with equal rights to 
Lutheran and Reformed. 

On the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity, September 
22, 1861, while Rev. G. F. Iaeger was the Lutheran pastor 
and Rev. J. S. Herman, the Reformed, the congregatior 


109 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of its organi¬ 
zation. In the forenoon Rev. Thomas T. Iaeger, a son of 
the pastor preached the sermon. In the afternoon Rev. 
Daniel Brendel, Reformed, of Bethlehem, filled the pulpit. 

In 1882 the church was thoroughly remodeled, a steeple 
built and a bell purchased. The cost of these improve¬ 
ments was over $5,000.00. This was done during the pas¬ 
torate of Rev. B. S. Smoll, Lutheran and Rev. J. S. Herman, 
Reformed. 



NEW GRIMSVILLE CHURCH 

September 13, 1903, the centennial of the erection of 
the present church building was celebrated. At this time, 
Rev. O. S. Scheirer was Lutheran pastor and Rev. R. S. 
Appel, Reformed. The^e were morning, afternoon and 
evening services when the following Lutheran ministers 
preached: Rev. C. C. Boyer, Ph. D., Rev. F. K. Bernd, Rev. 
D. D. Trexler, Rev. J. H. Raker; and Rev. Dr. Schoedler, 
Reformed, of Allentown. 

In the early history of the congregation the records 
of the pastors are very imperfect. We know that Rev. 
Daniel Schumacher confirmed a class of catechumens in 


110 


























































































































































































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


1761. We know that Rev. H. Schaum was pastor when the 
first Church was consecrated in 1761. We know that Rev. 
John Friedrich Obenhassen laid the corner-stone of the 
second church in 1803. We know that Rev. Daniel Lehman 
and Rev. John Knoske were pastors but are unable to 
ascertain when their pastorates began and ended. From 
1839 we have the correct data as follows:— 

Revs. G. F. Iaeger, 1839-1873; B. S. Smoll, 1874-1890; 
F. K. Bernd, 1891-1896; 0. S. Scheirer, 1896-1914; J. 0. 
Schlenker, 1914 to—. 

The corner-stone of the new church was laid on July 
22, 1923. The usual articles were placed in the stone. A 
very large number of people were present. The names of 
1335 prsons who contributed $1,746.50 were written on a 
record which was placed in the stone. The local pastor 
had charge of the service. 

The Grimsville Parish is proud of the number of men 
it furnished for the Christian Ministry. It is a matter of 
regret that little more than their names can be given here. 
The following is the list:—Revs. D. K. Humbert, died at 
Bowers, September 21, 1913; D. D. Trexler, died at Bern- 
ville in 1914; Franklin S. Dietrich, a missionary to India, 
where (Dowlaiswaram) he made the supreme sacrifice 
on June 11, 1889; Edwin H. Smoll of the Schuylkill Haven 
Parish; J. 0. Schlenker of the Grimsville Parish; W. F. 
Bond of Bowers Parish; A. L. Ramer, Ph. D., superin¬ 
tendent of the Immigrants Mission Board of the U. L. C.; 
Morris W. Krause of the Ringtown Parish. 


NEW JERUSALEM, GREENWICH TOWNSHIP 

3 N THE year 1744, when Pennsylvania was still a col¬ 
ony of England and Greenwich Township was a part 
of Philadelphia County, a congregation was organized, 
near the Ontelaunee, by the German Reformed living in 
the community and a log church built. Mr. Conrad Koch 
presented about two acres of ground for this purpose. 
When this church was consecrated and whether it was 
given a specific name is not known, but it was known as the 
High German Reformed Church, “Dunkel Kirche” until 


111 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


1790. Some time between 1744 and 1790, about 40 acres 
of ground were acquired. 

In 1790, the congregation resolved to build a new 
church because the first one had become inadequate for 
present needs. But because the Reformed congregation 
was small they found the cost of erecting a new church 
beyond their means, so they decided to unite with the Luth- 



NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH 


erans of the community and build a union church. Hence 
the Lutheran organization here really dates from 1790. 
They built the new church in 1790 during the second term 
of George Washington, President of the United States and 
the first year of Thomas Mifflin, the first Governor of 
Pennsylvania. There is no record of the consecration and 
it was still known as Dunkel’s Church. 

In 1824 the church was thoroughly renovated and im¬ 
proved under the supervision of George Dietrich, Lutheran 
and John Lenhard, Reformed. These were no doubt the 
trustees. This renewed church was reconsecrated October 
6, 1824 by Rev. Benjamin German, Lutheran and Rev. 
Augustus Herman, Reformed, the pastors, and was then 

112 











LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


given the name New Jerusalem. This building rendered 
excellent service for 35 years until 1859 when the congre¬ 
gations decided to build a new church of brick. The corner¬ 
stone was laid June 12, 1859. In the “Proclamation’* 
adopted and placed in the corner-stone we find the follow¬ 
ing declaration: “As God blesses the labors of our hands 
and this house is finished we will consecrate it to the 
Triune God, Father Son and Holy Ghost forever .... 
here shall be preached the Christ and Him crucified and 
the Holy Sacraments, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper be 
administered according to the practice of the Apostles . . . 
Should after us men arise who forget their Saviour and 
God's precious Word and despise the Holy Sacraments, and 
will not tolerate the holy teachings, we take Heaven and 
Earth to witness that it is not our fault, but that we are 
free of their blood. This house that we here build shall 
always be a witness that we love Evangelical Christianity 
and desire its perpetuation and that it is our wish that 
reconciliation through Christ be preached in this church to 
poor sinners. That we expect of our children and descend¬ 
ants that they never leave nor forsake it and that through 
the Gospel of Jesus Christ, young and old be aroused, ex¬ 
horted, and advanced to prepare for eternity. With such 
a wish and purpose in view we can confidently trust in 
God and say with Jacob, ‘This stone, which I have set for 
a pillar, shall be God’s house,’ a place where God shall 
reveal his presence.” 

The building committee of the new church consisted 
of Captain George Heisely, John Merkel, George B. Dietrich, 
Benjamin Dietrich and Samuel Heily, Lutheran; and Jacob 
Dunkel, John Reinhart, Manassa K. Dreibelbis, Ephriam 
Dreibelbis and Peter A. Kline, Reformed. 

In 1894, the church was thoroughly renovated, fres¬ 
coed and practically a new organ installed. On September 
2, the church was rededicated under the pastorate of Rev. 
B. S. Smoll, Lutheran, and Rev. B. Weiss, Reformed. The 
sermons on this occasion were preached by Rev. J. 0. 
Schlenker, Lutheran, of Hazleton, and Rev. George W. 
Richards, Reformed, of Allentown. 

In 1901, the steeple was erected and the bell procured. 

113 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


These were dedicated on September 1. In the forenoon, 
Rev. G. A. Spieker, D. D., Lutheran, and Rev. H. H. I. Ben¬ 
ner, Reformed, preached. In the afternoon addresses were 
made by Revs. J. J. Cressman, D. D. Trexler, A. L. Ramer, 
Lutheran; and Rev. G. Gehrhart, Reformed. In the eve¬ 
ning, Rev. A. L. Ramer, Ph. D., preached. 

In 1909, during the pastorate of Rev. 0. S. Scheirer, 
Lutheran and Rev. J. S. Bartholomew, Reformed, the 
Fiftieth Anniversary of the erection of the present church 
building was celebrated. In the forenoon Rev. I. B. Ritter, 
Lutheran, and Revs. Alfred J. Herman and H. A. I. Benner, 
Reformed, preached. In the afternoon Revs. Cressman, 
Ritter, Kline, Lynch, Lutheran; and Revs. Benner, Appel, 
and Leinbach, Reformed, made addresses. 

On the Lutheran side Rev. G. F. Iaeger was pastor 
over fifty years and Rev. B. S. Smoll twenty years and six 
months. 

The Lutheran pastors of New Jerusalem Church were 
the following:—Revs. Daniel Lehman, 1790-1804; Fried¬ 
rich Engel, 1804-1823; G. F. Iaeger, 1823-1874; B. S. Smoll, 
1874-1895; O. D. Miller (supply) 1895-1896; O. S. Scheirer, 
1896-1914; J. O. Schlenker, 1914 to—. 

% 

NEW BETHEL, ALBANY TOWNSHIP 

^■■^HE beginning of new Bethel Church, like most of our 
/I old rural Churches, is uncertain because of lack of 
proper records. It is believed that an organization 
was effected as early as 1750, and that a temporary struc¬ 
ture was erected in 1751. The county record of roads shows 
that a church stood there in 1754. It is said that 40 per¬ 
sons were interested in the erection and that the following 
among others helped:—Jacob Zettelmoyer, Simon Fries, 
Jacob Gerhart, Jacob Wade, Adam Levan, and Ferdinand 
Ritter. 

From 1761 we have reliable records. 

On March 21, 1761, Hamadal Straszer presented three- 
fourths of an acre and 12 rods of land to the congregation 
for Church purposes. November 11, 1761 the foundation 
stone (Grundstein) was laid for the new church called 
“Bethel”. A constitution was adopted and placed in the 


114 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


corner-stone. In this constitution equal rights were ac¬ 
corded to both Lutheran and Reformed. Then follows a 
list of 44 names and amounts they contributed in pounds, 
shillings, and pence as well as labor given. Of the finish¬ 
ing and consecration of this church, or who the pastors 
were we have no records. 

In 1791 the church was rebuilt (auferbaut). A list 
showing 65 contributors in money and labor has been pre¬ 
served. The amount expended on rebuilding the church 
was 188L-6s-5p and labor given by the members 105L-16s- 
9p, total 294L-3s-2p. Again we can find no record of the 
rededication or who the pastors were at this time. 



NEW BETHEL CHURCH 

This church evidently did service until 1853 when a 
new church, the present one, was erected, of pink Blue 
Mountain stone. At the laying of the corner-stone a proc¬ 
lamation and new constitution were adopted and placed 
in the corner-stone. At this time, the name was changed 
from “Bethel” to “New Bethel.” The aforesaid Proclama¬ 
tion was signed by the pastors, Rev. G. F. J. Iaeger, Luth¬ 
eran, and Rev. John Zulich, Reformed; the building com¬ 
mittee consisting of 6 members; and the Baumeister con¬ 
sisting of 4 members. The constitution was signed by the 
Church Council, viz., 2 elders, 4 deacons, and the treasurer. 

The corner-stone was laid March 8, 1853. Rev. Hinter- 
leitner, Lutheran and Rev. Hautenbein, Reformed, preached 
the sermons. 


115 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

December 31, 1854 the church was consecrated. Satur¬ 
day forenoon Rev. Thomas T. Iaeger, Lutheran, preached. 
Saturday afternoon Rev. Johan Zulich, Reformed, preached. 
On Sunday forenoon, Rev. Thomas T. Iaeger preached 
again and in the afternoon Rev. G. F. J. Iaeger, the Luth¬ 
eran pastor, preached. The land upon which the new 
church was erected, valued at $125 was presented by Ben¬ 
jamin Lenhart. The list shows that 208 contributed toward 
the erection of the new church in amounts from 25 cents 
to 8125. The old church was sold for $223.26. 

May 25, Ascension Day, 1854, the organ was dedicated 
at which service Rev. Hautenbein, Reformed, preached in 
the forenoon and Rev. Lauer, Lutheran, in the afternoon. 

In 1883, the church was frescoed and generally reno¬ 
vated and was reconsecrated in October when the follow¬ 
ing pastors participated:—Revs. David Humbert, F. H. 
Erb, B. S. Smoll, Lutheran; and Dr. N. D. Schaeffer and 
J. N. Beckman, Reformed. 

The early pastors, from 1761-1831 cannot be ascer¬ 
tained. The only record we are able to find is that Rev. 
John Fredich Obenhausen baptized children in 1795 and 
1803, so he must have been a Lutheran pastor in those 
years. The following were the Lutheran pastors since 
1831:—Rev. G. F. J. Iaeger, 1831-1874; Rev. B. S. Smoll, 
1874-1885; Rev. 0. D. Miller (supply), 1886-1897; Rev. 0. 
S. Scheirer, 1897-1914; Rev. J. 0. Schlenker, 1914 to—. 


FRIEDEN’S, ALBANY TOWNSHIP 

^•■^HE “Allemaengel,” now known as Jerusalem or Red 
/I Church, was organized before 1745. In 1770 diffi- 
culties arose in this congregation, and Rev. Daniel 
Schumacher, then the pastor, withdrew with a number of 
followers and organized what was then known as the “Neue 
Allemaengel” or “Friedens Kirche,” also called “Freiheits 
Kirche” or “Weisse Kirche.” 

Rev. Daniel Schumacher, the actual founder of 
Frieden’s Church, settled in Reading in 1754, where he 
served Alsace, Schwarzwald, St. Paul’s, in Windsor Town¬ 
ship, besides Reading. In 1755 he resigned Reading, and 
served “Allemaengel” and Zion’s or Red Church, in Schuyl- 


116 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

kill County; also St. Michael’s now served by Rev. L. R. 
Miller. 

This Frieden’s congregation was organized in 1770. 
Whether any of the Reformed pastors were present is not 
known, but Rev. Daniel Schumacher preached the first 
sermon on the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity. 



FRIEDEN’S CHURCH 

On Whitmonday, May 20, 1771, in the presence of a 
large assembly, Rev. Daniel Schumacher laid the corner¬ 
stone (he called it “Der Grund gelegt zur Kirch Erbauung”). 
He took as his text on this occasion I Cor. 3:10-13. Whether 


117 














LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY. 

other ministers were present the record does not state, but 
it is not likely. 

From the corner-stone laying we can imagine how the 
few faithful people labored and sacrificed until 1774, when 
the new church was completed and consecrated. Rev. Schu¬ 
macher says: “John Wessner, Henry Zimmerman, John 
Klueck, George Preasch labored so faithfully for the church 
and encouraged the others, that they won the congrega¬ 
tion’s and my love. May the holy Trinity graciously bless 
them for what they have done and accomplished. Amen.” 

Rev. Weiss’ transcript from the old church book (now 
lost) says the following presents were given to the new 
church: Christian Hechler presented a beautiful communion 
set; Jacob Billman, a baptismal font; Mrs. Susanna Nar- 
gang, a white worked altar cloth; Christian Braucher, a 
church record; John A. Manderbach gave three pounds in 
money and a black altar cloth, with the prayer, “kindly to 
remember him.” In 1773 a Chrisitan sister, M. E. S., gave 
a silver plate to be used to receive the offerings of the 
congregation, and in 1774 Elias Ruthgen gave a silk altar 
cloth. 

The newly erected church was completed and conse¬ 
crated on Whitmonday, May 20, 1774. We have not been 
able to learn of what material this church was built, though 
we are inclined to think that it was a log structure. 

At the consecration of the new church Rev. Daniel 
Schumacher preached on Psalm 51:18-19, and the Reformed 
pastor, Rev. Frederick J. Berger, on Psalm 12:1-2. 

The Church Council at the time of the consecration 
consisted of the following:—Elders, John Wessner, Luth¬ 
eran, and George A. Groh, Reformed; Deacons:—Henry 
Zimmerman, Lutheran, Jacob Staum, Reformed. 

Rev. Daniel Schumacher composed a poem of few 
verses for the occasion. The first verse is here given:— 

“Oft gehts hart, 

Im Rosen Gart 

Kann man nicht allzeit sitzen. 

Wer Gott vertraut 
Und auf Ihn baut, 

Den wilier ewig schuetzen. 


118 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

Erhebt Euch heute aus dem Staub 
Und leget ab des Rummers Kleider 
Freut Euch der Geist, die Gnade taub 
Macht Euer Hertz von Trost ganz heiter. 

Nach Ueberstandner Miih and Arbeit 

Erfillt Euch Gott in seiner Kirch mit Gnad und Freud.” 

Rev. Daniel Schumacher, the founder of Frieden’s 
Church, preached here from 1771 to 1774. He was suc¬ 
ceeded by Rev. Frederick Miller, of Windsor Township, 
Berks County. He was followed by Rev. John Martin 
Schaefer, who was then located in West Penn, Schuylkill 
County. Then followed John S. Engel, of Hamburg, who 
also served DunkePs and St. Jacob’s, of Jacksonville, Le¬ 
high County; also Rev. John Frederick Obenhausen, who 
was a Hollander, and well educated. He was licensed by the 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania, at Reading, in 1794. He was 
pastor at Bethel Zion’s, Grimsville, Ziegel Church, in Le¬ 
high County, and Frieden’s, Wessnersville. He lived in 
Greenwich Township. In 1795 he served Weisenberg and 
New Bethel, Albany Township. He was ordained at Easton 
by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania in 1804. These are 
the ministers who, as far as we can learn, served Frieden’s 
Church between 1770 and 1825. The beginning and ter¬ 
mination of their pastorates we are unable to determine. 

Revs. Daniel Schumacher served from 1770-1774; Fred¬ 
erick Miller, John Martin Schaefer, John S. Engel, John 
Friedrich Obenhausen from 1774-1825; G. F. J. Iaeger from 
1825-1874; B. S. Smoll from 1874-1896; 0. S. Scheirer from 
1896-1914; J. 0. Schlenker form 1914 to—. 

The present church, which is the second building these 
congregations erected, was built in 1840, while Rev. G. F. 
J. Iaeger was the Lutheran pastor, and Rev. Charles G. 
Herman, assisted by his son, Rev. J. S. Herman, the Re¬ 
formed. 

The corner-stone of this church was laid on May 31, 
1840. The following preached at this service: Rev. Joseph 
S. Dubbs, Reformed, of Whitehall, Lehigh County, and Rev. 
G. F. J. Iaeger, the Lutheran pastor, and Rev. William 
Munch, Lutheran, of Pottsville. 

The new church was consecrated November 7 and 8, 


119 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


1840, on which occasion Rev. Samuel Hess, Reformed, of 
Hellertown, preached on Psalm 122:1-2, and Rev. Joshua 
Iaeger, of Allentown, Lutheran, preached on Haggai 2:10. 
Rev. Augustus Herman, Reformed, was also present. 

On September 4 and 5, 1875, although five years after 
the time, Frieden’s Church celebrated its Centennial. On 
the first day, September 4, Rev. Henry Mosser, of Reading, 
preached on Exod. 3:2-7. Rev. Prof. A. R. Horne, of Kutz- 
town, also filled the pulpit. On Sunday, September 5, Rev. 
G. F. J. Iaeegr preached in the forenoon on Luke 12:3, and 
Rev. G. F. Spieker, of Kutztown, in the afternoon on I. 
Peter 2:4-5. 

During the pastorate of Rev. B. S. Smoll, Lutheran, 
and Rev. Benj. Weiss, Reformed, the present church build¬ 
ing was thoroughly renovated at an outlay of over §2800.00. 
Land was purchased and the graveyard enlarged, a new 
barn built and other improvements made. The Lutheran 
congregation during the pastorate of Rev. B. S. Smoll, from 
1874 to 1896, increased from 125 members to 325. During 
his pastorate Rev. Smoll confirmed 368, baptized 354, mar¬ 
ried 126, buried 134. 

Within the last years quite a number of improvements 
were made. The new cemetery was laid out. In 1915 the 
church was painted at an outlay of about §250.00. In 1916 
a cement wall was built around the old graveyard at an 
expense of §375.00. In 1918 the church was painted, new 
windows put in, frescoed, and pipeless heater installed at an 
expense of about §1700.00. 

The renovated church was reopened on September 1, 
1918. Besides the pastors, Rev. J. O. Schlenker and Rev. 
A. L. Brumbach, Rev. J. O. Henry, superintendent of the 
Lutheran Orphans’ Home at Topton, preached in the fore¬ 
noon, and Rev. J. S. Bartholomew in the afternoon. 

Many individual gifts were presented in the last few 
years to the church. Chas. Schollenberger presented the 
individual communion service to the Reformed congrega¬ 
tion. On the Lutheran side the following gifts were made 
since the pastorate of Rev. J. O. Schlenker: June 27, 1918, 
Willoughby Wiesner presented 50 German and 50 English 
Church Books to the Lutheran congregation in memory of 


120 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

his beloved wife Sarah Amelia, a born Oldt. Charles Kun- 
kel presented a communion cup. Elmer V. Graff presented 
a communion flagon. Howard Dietrich presented black 
altar covers to be used on funeral occasions. The cate¬ 
chetical class of 1916 presented an English pulpit Bible. 

On Sunday, October 31, 1920, the One Hundred and 
Fiftieth Anniversary of Frieden’s Church was celebrated. 
Besides Pastors J. 0. Schlenker and A. L. Brumbach of 
the two congregations, a number of visiting ministers were 
present. In the forenoon, Rev. G. D. Druckenmiller, Luth¬ 
eran, from Hamburg, preached; in the afternoon, Rev. J. 
M. G. Darms, D. D., Reformed, from Allentown; in the eve¬ 
ning, both pastors. 

ST. JOHN’S, HAMBURG 

^yi^HE early history of St. John’s congregation is coin- 
/I cident with the founding of the town of Hamburg, 
the approximate date of which is 1772. In 1773 a 
Martin Kaercher donated a piece of land to be used by the 
Lutheran and Reformed people as a cemetery and a lot 
upon which to build a church. It was not until February 
12, 1790 that the first church was dedicated. This house 
of worship was constructed of logs, and was a two story 
structure. The upper floor was used as a place of worship 
while the lower floor served as a school room. The church 
was known as “The United Evangelical Lutheran and Evan¬ 
gelical Reformed St. John’s Church in the village of Ham¬ 
burg.’’ The pastors who served the congregations at this 
time were Rev. Daniel Lehman, Lutheran r and Rev. Henry 
Hertzel, Reformed. 

Soon after the year 1800 it was decided by the con¬ 
gregations to build a larger church to meet the demands 
of the growing congregations. In order to raise the nec¬ 
essary funds, the congregations invoked the State Legis¬ 
lature to grant them the privilege of conducting a lottery 
for this purpose. Accordingly in the year 1807 an act was 
passed by the Legislature authorizing the congregations 
to raise $3000 by lottery. This church was built of stone and 
its dimensions were 45 x 35 feet. The corner-stone was 
laid June 16, 1811, but for want of funds it was not corn- 


121 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

pleted until 1814 and was dedicated in March, 1815. It 
was located on the present church site, while the old 
log church stood on a portion of what is now the old ceme¬ 
tery. After the old building was razed the logs were used 
to build a one story schoolhouse on the same site. 

After forty-six years of service the stone church also 
proved inadequate, and on Whitmonday, June 1, 1857, it 



ST. JOHN’S CHURCH, HAMBURG 

was decided to build a larger one. This edifice was 60 x 80 
feet in dimensions, the foundation being constructed of 
the stones of the former church building, and the super¬ 
structure being of brick. During the rebuilding operations 
the congregations worshiped in the new brick schoolhouse 
which had replaced the old log structure. The corner-stone 
was laid Aug. 16, 1857, and the edifice dedicated sometime 
later, the exact date being unknown. Rev. G. F. I. Iaeger 
was the Lutheran pastor at this time. The two congre- 


122 












LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


gations worshiped in this church until Sunday, April 3, 
1898. On this day the Lutheran pastor, Rev. H. C. Kline, 
dedicated two stained glass windows, presented by Oliver 
J. Wolff of Reading in memory of his and his wife’s par¬ 
ents. On the following afternoon, April 4, the church was 
completely destroyed by fire. This marked the beginning 
of the separation of St. John’s Lutheran and Reformed 
congregations after more than a century of union church 



THE UNION CHURCH, DESTROYED 
BY FIRE APRIL 4, 1898 

activities. On May 9, 1898 it was decided by a large ma¬ 
jority to build separate churches, the Lutherans electing 
to rebuild on the old site, and the Reformed to build on the 
corner of Third and Pine Streets. 

On May 10, 1898 the Lutheran congregation decided 
to erect a church 90 x 106 feet. The congregation was 
reorganized and incorporated under the name and title 
of “St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hamburg”, 
and the new constitution was adopted May 31, 1898. On 


123 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


June 20 the following officers were elected: Elders, James 
L. Merkel, Benjamin Gardner, and Dr. J. B. Potteiger; 
Deacons, Walter J. Loy, George Bond, George Egolf, and 
Alfred J. Raubenhold; Trustees, Reuben A. Dietrich, Wal¬ 
ter M. Raubenhold, and Milton Buchman. The corner-stone 
was laid on Sunday, September 4, 1898, by the pastor, Rev. 
H. C. Kline, assisted by Dr. S. L. Harkey and Rev. J. U. H. 
Heintz. While the congregation was without a church, 
services w T ere conducted in Armory Hall until Christmas 
Day when the basement of the Sunday School, or what 
is known as the Assembly Room, was used for worship. 



THE PARSONAGE 

Beginning with Sunday, March 12, 1899, services were held 
in the Sunday School chapel, and on Whitsunday, May 21, 
1899, the church was dedicated. The pastor conducted the 
services assisted by Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, D. D., Rev. J. 
Fry, D. D., Rev. G. W. Sandt, D. D, Rev. B. D. Zweizig, 
Rev. D. D. Trexler, and Rev. Ernest Bawden. It is a beau¬ 
tiful and imposing structure, constructed of yellow pressed 
brick with grey sand stone trimmings, and erected at a 
cost of $40,000. It is modern and churchly in its appoint¬ 
ments, and is a worthy monument to both pastor and peo- 


124 









































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


pie. On July 25, 1897, not quite a year before the de¬ 
struction of the church by fire, the congregation bought a 
parsonage at a cost of $3000. 

St. John’s was a part of a large country parish until 
May, 1906 by which time the congregation had increased 
and matured to such an extent that the entire time and 
services of a pastor were needed. Thus the pastor, Rev. 
Hi C. Kline, resigned his country Church, and accepted the 
call from St. John’s. A number of repairs and improve¬ 
ments have been made to the church since it was built. 
During the pastorate of Rev. G. D. Druckenmiller, the 
church was recarpeted, and in the year 1915 the entire 
church was renovated and the walls frescoed at a cost of 
over $2000. Special “Reopening’’ services were held which 
were conducted by the pastor, assisted by Rev. M. L. Zwei- 
zig. After the resignation of Rev. G. D. Druckenmiller 
on April 1, 1922, the present pastor, Rev. Rufus E. Kern 
took charge, June 1, 1922. Since then the church was again 
recarpeted, the floors varnished, and various other repairs 
made at a cost of almost $1500. 

Various organizations have rendered valuable service 
to the life of the congregation in its later history especially. 
The Luther Aid Society is an organization composed 
mostly of women which deserves mention here. It was 
organized more than 30 years ago, and has since then 
paid over $4,000 toward the parsonage debt, bought the 
pipe organ at a cost of $2300, purchased the altar vest¬ 
ments at a cost of $325, and in August, 1922, purchased 
the new carpet at a cost of almost $1200. This society has 
also from the very beginning assumed all cost of repairs to 
the parsonage. 

The pastors who have served St. John’s congregation 
and their years of service are as follows:—Peter Mishler, 
not ordained; Revs. Daniel Lehman, 1778-1803; Daniel and 
John Knoske, 1803-1816; F. Engel, 1816-1823; Carl Strein, 
1823-1828; Ludwig Waltz, 1828-1832; F. A. M. Keller, 
supply; G. F. J. Iaeger, 1832-1860; J. Hi. Eberman, 1860- 
1861; S. S. Kline, 1861-1867; T. T. Iaeger, 1868-1880 (Ger¬ 
man) ; Benjamin Zweizig, 1868-1880 (English) ; C. K. 
Drumheller, 1880-1883; O. D. Miller, 1884-1896; H. C. 


125 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Kline, 1897-1910; G. D. Druckenmiller, 1910-1922; Rufus 
E. Kern, 1922 to—. 


ST. JOHN’S, KUTZTOWN 

HEN St. John’s Lutheran congregation was or¬ 
ganized is not definitely known. The Rev. J. J. 
Cressman thinks 1752 or even earlier. Rev.. 
Tobias Wagner in his list of farewell sermons 1744-1746 
gives the ninth as delivered at Maxton and this is taken to 
be Maxatawny. Maxatawny was the name of a Lutheran 


m 



126 

















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


church as well as the Reformed at the time, and was taken 
from the district in which it was located. If the above is 
correct the date of organization would be 1744. 

The Reformed organized as early as 1736. They con¬ 
ducted services in a barn located on Daniel Levan’s farm 
one-half mile east of what is now Kutztown. On ground 
donated by Daniel Levan a log meeting-house was erected 
in 1755 on the west bank of the Sacony. In this building 
a stone floor was used. It had no pulpit. Nothing more 
of the structure is known. Some graves can still be found, 
thus indicating the burial place of these congregations. 

In 1789 the congregations decided to erect a new 
union church in the town, on the site where the present 
building stands. They acted on 18 articles known as 
church regulations, which are very interesting. The build¬ 
ing committee was:—Lutheran, Jacob Herrman, Jacob 
Sweier, Michael Werlein; Reformed, George Pfister, Jer- 
mias Kolb, Peter Christman. 

The building was a wooden structure, colonial in archi¬ 
tecture and cost the congregations $3307.33. In the pres¬ 
ence of a very large concourse of people, the church was 
dedicated on August 7, 1791 by the Rev. Daniel Lehman, 
Lutheran, and the Rev. John Heinrich Helfrich, Reformed. 
On January 2, 1813 it became free of debt. In 1816 it was 
weather-boarded at a cost of $574.98. In 1842 the church¬ 
yard was completed. In 1846 a new wineglass pulpit was 
installed. The total cost of the building up to this time 
was about $6000.00. For eighty-six years this edifice did 
service. However, as the congregations increased, the need 
of a larger building was felt and on April 4, 1876 the two 
Church Councils decided to submit the erection of the pres¬ 
ent church to the congregations. A vote was taken on the 
seventeenth of the same month, 279 favoring a new build- 
ang and 77 opposing it. Preparations were immediately 
made for the building of a new structure. The following 
committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions:—Luth¬ 
eran, Charles Deisher, George Bieber, Jacob Sunday, Chas. 
Kutz, Jonothan Bieber, George Kutz; Reformed, Charles 
Rahn, William Rahn, Jacob Rahn, David Schaeffer, John 
Christman, Jacob Kemp. • 


127 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

In the presence of a great multitude of people on 
Whitsunday, June 4, 1876, the corner-stone was laid. The 
exercises were continued on Whitmonday which in former 
years was regarded as a holiday. The Sunday morning 
sermon was preached by the Rev. B. S. Smoll, assisted by 
Rev. J. S. Herman, and in the afternoon of the same day 
Rev. B. Weiss, from Lenhartsville filled the pulpit. The 
corner-stone was laid by the Revs. B. E. Kramlich and J. 
S. Herman, assisted by the elders of the congregations. In 
it were deposited the following articles: a Bible, Lutheran 
catechism, Heidelberg catechism, sacramental wine and 
wafer, names of the officers, coins, a silver dollar (donated 
by Dewalt Kemp with his name engraved on it), The Luth¬ 
eran Zeitschritt, The Reformed Hausfreund, and the Kutz- 
town Journal. Also a document containing the resolution 
that the congregations shall remain Lutheran and Re¬ 
formed as long as five members in good standing shall 
desire it. On Monday morning Rev. B. Weis preached 
again, and in the afternoon, Rev. D. Humbert, of Bowers. 
The old corner-stone was relaid. The act was performed 
by the Rev. J. S. Herman. In it were deposited an old 
Bible presented by Charles Kutz of Kutztown, an old hymn- 
book, the old constitution of the congregations, with all the 
names of the officers up to the year 1876, a quarter dollar 
and a five cent piece donated by the old bell ringer, Charles 
O'Neal. The church was dedicated the following year, 
October 28, 1877, by the pastors in charge, Revs. J. J. 
Cressman and J. S. Herman. They were assisted by the 
Revs. J. B. Rath, B. E. Kramlich and L. Groh, D. D., then 
president of the conference (Lutheran) ; Rev. E. V. Ger¬ 
hard, D. D., and N. C. Schaeffer, D. D. (Reformed). The 
edifice is a brick structrue with a seating capacity of 800. 
The dimensions are 49 x 76. The large basement is divided 
into four rooms for Sunday School purposes. In the lofty 
spire hangs a fine Meneeley Bell, noted for its beautiful 
tone. In 1886-1887 the church was frescoed and a new 
Moller pipe organ installed. 

In 1896 the two congregations were separated. St. 
John's Lutheran and Reformed congregations still have 
one building but they exist as two distinct organizations. 


128 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Each congregation has its own treasury and pays its owr 
bills. Only in repairs and similar things, each congregation 
pays half. Either congregation also has its own Bible 
School, elects its own officers and handles its funds separ¬ 
ately. This is an ideal way for union congregations. 

In 1804 a stone schoolhouse was erected by the two 
congregations. Abraham Dauber was the first school 
teacher. The preamble and constitution governing the 
schoolhouse are still in existence. This building is now 
occupied as a dwelling. It has recently been sold by the 
congregations. The schoolhouse was built on seven lots 
87 x 88, the first three lots deeded by Henry Kohler then 
proprietor of Kutztown for a dollar and the rest for five 
shillings. 

In 1876, the Rev. G. F. Spieker resigned this congre¬ 
gation and organized Trinity Lutheran Church of Kutz¬ 
town. St. John’s congregation has three active sons in the 
ministry: the Rev. Milton Bieber, field missionary of the 
Northwest; the Rev. George Shiery, Spring City, Pa.; and 
the Rev. Edwin L. Miller, Boston, Mass. 

The Rev. Elmer H. Leinbach has served the Reformed 
congregation since 1896. 

From 1799 to 1803, Frederic Ritze supplied the pulpit. 
He was probably a school teacher. H,is name appears on 
neither the Reformed nor Lutheran rolls. Rev. Lehman 
had moved to Reading but returned and took charge in 
1803. The following pastors have served: Revs. Tobias 
Wagner, likely from 1744-1746; Daniel Schumacher, 
1756—; John Helfrecht Shaum, 1759-1777; Daniel Lehman, 
1777-1810; John Knoske, 1810-1839; Daniel Kohler, 1839- 
1851; Gustave Adolph Hinterleiter, 1852-1866; George 
Frederick Spieker, 1867-1876; John J. Cressman, 1877- 
1914 (1877-1880 supply) ; J. W. Bittner, 1914 to—. 


MAIDENCREEK, BLANDON 

Maidencreek Church is located at the northern 
/I I end of the village of Blandon (Blandtown). The 
name of the Church is derived from the name of 
the township which in turn received its name from the 
creek running through it. 


129 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


\ 


For about a year Lutheran and Reformed services 
were conducted in the Blandon schoolhouse. March 30, 
1860 a public meeting, at which the Lutherans as well as 
the Reformed were represented, was held. It was there re¬ 
solved, that a union church be erected on the land donated 
for this purpose by Benjamin Fox and his wife, Susan. 
At this same meeting, William Bland, J. Deturk, Adam W. 
Kauffman, Simon Moyer, John B. Rothermel and Daniel 
Trout were appointed a building committee. Paul Rother¬ 
mel was made treasurer and Jacob Fisher, secretary. The 





MAIDEN CHEEK CHURCH 

building committee was empowered to erect a brick church 
with tower, basement, vestibule and gallery in the gothic 
style, for the joint use of a Lutheran and a Reformed con¬ 
gregation, opposite the Blandon schoolhouse, on the plot of 
ground above named. The two congregations pledged their 
support and aid to the best of their ability. April 28, the 
committee entered into a contract for the excavating of 


130 









LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


the church. This church, when completed, cost about 
$7,000. 

» ' • 

The corner-stone was laid on Sunday, June 2.4. Services 
were also held on the Saturday preceding. The ministers 
who took part were: Lutheran, Rev. B. E. Kramlich; Re¬ 
formed, Revs. Samuel Miller, D. T. Brindel, S. T. Herman 
and R. S. Appel, the latter being independent at the time. 
As usual a paper containing the rules and regulations by 
which the congregations were to be governed in the future, 
was deposited in the corner-stone, together with the Bible, 
Luther’s small catechism, a Heidelberg catechism, bread 
(leavened), wafers (unleavened bread), wine and a union 
hymn book. 

The document above referred to, provides that, “the 
name of the church is to be the Maidencreek church at 
Blandon”. 

The building was dedicated December 25 and 26, the 
dedicatory services proper being held on Christmas. The 
ministers present and taking part were, Revs. B. D. Zwei- 
zig, F. J. F. Schantz, D. D., Benj. E. Kramlich, Joel Grim, 
Jeremiah Schindel and E. H. M. Sell on the part of the 
Lutherans, and Rev. J. S. Herman, Reformed. 

Nov. 5, 1861, a charter incorporating the church under 
the name of “The Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed 
Church of Maidencreek”, was secured. 

During the early years the congregations were satis¬ 
fied with the use of a melodeon. But before many years 
had elapsed, this was exchanged for a pipe organ. After 
this had been in use for some years, it was exchanged for 
a larger instrument. About 20 or 25 years ago, one of 
Bohler’s manufacture was put in its place. 

The present Reformed pastor is the Rev. M. H. Bren- 
singer. 

Rev. B. D. Zweizig became the first Lutheran pastor 
soon after the church was erected and served until Septem¬ 
ber 9, 1903. He was followed by Revs. C. E. Kistler, Octo¬ 
ber, 1903 to April, 1908; J. O. Henry, October, 1908 to 
October, 1909; W. K. Fisher, September, 1910 to November, 
1914; J. W. Bittner, 1914 to—. 


131 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



TRINITY CHURCH AND PARISH HOUSE 

TRINITY, KUTZTOWN. 

/•^RINITY congregation had its inception when a Luth- 
(IF eran Sunday School was organized on April 24, 1868, 
by a number of members of St. John’s congregation. 
This was followed by the erection of a chapel on the ground 
now occupied by Trinity church, at Main and Baldy streets, 
Kutztown, Pa. The chapel was dedicated during Christmas 
week of 1875, by the pastor of St. John’s congregation, the 
Rev. G. F. Spieker, D. D. The dedicatory sermon was 
preached by Rev. D K. Humbert of Bowers, Pa. The pas¬ 
tors who assisted in the services were Revs. B. E. Kram- 


132 









LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


lich, A. R. Horne, D. D., W. B. Fox, and Irvin W. Bieber. 

Trinity congregation was organized on May 27, 1876. 
Its first Church Council consisted of the following:— 
Elders, Richard Miller, John H. Humbert, J. P. Daniel 
Hinterleiter, ‘ Sr., Jacob R. Heffner; Deacons, Daniel K. 
Sprenger, Samuel Wiltrout, Clinton Bieber and Eugene 
D. Bieber. Trustees, Isaac F. Christ, Daniel Yaxtheimer, 
Jacob Hinterleiter and Peter Krause. 

The Rev. G. F. Spieker, D. D., having resigned as pas¬ 
tor of St. John’s congregation, was unanimously elected as 
the first pastor. He served until September 30, 1883. The 
pastors following were:—Rev. W. S. C. Mueller, D. D., 
1884-1890; Rev. S. L. Harkey, D. D., 1891-1901; Rev. E. P. 
Pfatteicher, D. D., Ph. D., 1902; Rev. R. B. Lynch, 1903 
to—. 

The congregation worshiped in the chapel until 1894 
when the present church edifice was erected. In 1915 the 
original chapel was altered and added to and the present 
thoroughly equipped plant completed. The committee in 



TRINITY PARSONAGE 


133 









LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


charge of the church building was:—Charles W. Miller, 
Walter B. Bieber, Wm. G. Hinterleiter and Charles D. Her¬ 
man. This committee also served as finance committee 
and through their untiring efforts, and the liberal contri¬ 
butions of the members, the building was dedicated prac¬ 
tically free of debt. The moving spirits in the erection and 
arrangement of the parish house and Bible School room, 
were Quinton D. Herman, Rev. Dr. G. Smith Kressley, John 
S. Swoyer, and the present pastor. 

The fine organ was the gift of Mrs. Hannah Biehl, a 
memorial to her husband and son Lawson. In 1912 the 
parsonage was purchased and renovated. 

Trinity congregation has grown to be one of the 
leaders in the Reading Conference, in her support of the 
general Church work. Her pastors have served as presi¬ 
dents of conference and synod. She has given these sons 
to the ministry:—Revs. I. W. Bieber, W. J. Bieber, W. W. 
Kramlich, J. F. Kramlich, George Kercher, Karl W. Miller, 
and student Paul A. Christ. 

ZION’S MOSELEM, RICHMOND TOWNSHIP 

congregation is one of the 10 oldest Lutheran 
il congregations of Berks County. The earliest rec- 
ords are quite lacking in details and seem to take 
much for granted. From them we learn that at least as 
early as 1737 there was an established Zion’s Moselem. The 
first church was built in 1740. The building committee 
consisted of Leonard Reber, Philip Tobias, Christian Haus- 
knecht, John Hirt, Frederick Kraemer, John Sieger, and 
two others whose names are illegible. A later record dated 
1761 says: “Since the congregation has grown so large in 
numbers since 1737, it has become necessary to build a new 
and larger Church building.” Accounts of monies paid out 
for building and furnishings are a part of the same record. 
The present building was erected in 1896. 

The first regular pastor of record was the Rev. Fred¬ 
erick Schaum, who served until his death about 1777. The 
pastor following him was the Rev. Daniel Lehman, who 
served from 1778 until his death in October of 1810. The 


134 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


record says that he was buried under the altar of the 
church, and that the funeral sermon was preached by Rev. 
Henry Muhlenberg, Jr., on the text St. John 17:5. Rev. 
Lehman was followed by Rev. Knoske, who served from 
1811-1817. With this entry the record of pastors ends until 
1884. In the interim, which is without official record, there 
is tradition of the service of Revs. Miller (father and son) 
Iaeger, Roeller, B. Ft Kramlich and G. F. Spieker, D. D. 



MOSELEM CHURCH 


The later pastors were:—Rev. W. C. A. Muller, D. D., 1884- 
1890; Rev. S. L. Harkey, D. D., 1891-1901; Rev. E. P. Pfat- 
teicher, D. D, Ph. D., 1902; Rev. R. B. Lynch, 1903 to—. 

The ground upon which the church stands is held by 
grant of Wm. Penn and heirs. This grant was confirmed 
on August 12, 1748, the quit-claim paid being L 15 s. 13. D 1. 
According to the confirmation the quit-claim was granted 


135 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


“for the sole and only use, benefit and behoof of the min¬ 
ister and society or congregation of Lutherans using and 
frequenting the said Meeting House erected or to be erected 
upon the herby granted tract of land.’’ The present church 
stands upon the granted land. 

The Rev. G. W. Fritch, Ph. D., is a son of this con¬ 
gregation. 



TRINITY CHURCH 


TRINITY, LEESPORT 


/mmmtHE union church building where Trinity worships is 
il located in the village of Leesport, Ontelaunee Town- 
ship. It is situated near the southern part of the vil¬ 
lage along the eastern side of the Reading & Pottsville road. 
The present building is the second church edifice erected by 
the Lutheran and Reformed congregations. 


Meetings to plan and erect the first structure were held 
in the old Leesport schoolhouse, situated on top of the hill 
opposite the present cemetery. Oh February 15th, 1867,. 


136 


















LUTHERANS 


I N 




BERKS 


COUNTY 


the citizens of Leesport and vicinity assembled for the pur¬ 
pose of taking steps to build a church, for the worship of 
God and to be used by the German Reformed and Lutheran 
denominations. On motion of Adam H. Gernant an organi¬ 
zation was effected. Dr. Jeremiah Levan was elected presi¬ 
dent and I. M. Rahn, secretary. The various committees 
on constitution, building site, burial ground, dimensions 
and subscription were appointed. 

Regular meetings continued to be held, and the com¬ 
mittees reported. A lot, 80 feet front and 330 feet deep 
extending to an alley, was secured from Adam H. Gernant, 
for the purpose of building a church thereon. It was agreed 
that it should be built of brick, that it should have a base¬ 
ment and a main floor, and that the dimensions should be 
50 by 76 feet. The cost of the church was estimated to be 
S10,000.00. 

On March 11, 1867, the subscription committee re¬ 
ported as the result of their canvass, the total sum of 
S4517.00. The motion of Reuben Wanner that the above 
amount was sufficient to start the erection of the church 
edifice, carried unanimously. The building committee was 
then elected; an at a following meeting, it was resolved that 
the committee on building should be incorporated. 

The Trinity German Reformed and Evangelical 
Lutheran Church of Leesport, Pa., was incorporated 
November 7th, 1867. In reference to the call of pastors, 
etc., article six (6) states, “The male members of each of 
said congregations shall have the right to choose their own 
pastor and fix his salary, elect all Church officers, and 
manage all their own congregational affairs without any 
interference from the other.” These articles are signed 
by the following persons:—Charles Ketner, Paul D. Stoudt, 
Charles Hains, Jacob S. Graeff, A. J. Dundore, M. D., Jacob 
Saul, I. M. Rahn, J. E. Levan, M. D., John Shadle, D. E. 
Edleman. The corner-stone laying of the church took place 
on July 21, 1867. Rev. S. S. Klein, a member of the Luth¬ 
eran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, took part in the serv¬ 
ices. Revs. E. Bausman, J. Seip, and L. D. Leberman repre- 
sentnig the Reformed Synod of the United States likewise 
took part. The Reformed members of the building corn- 


137 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


mittee were:—Adam H. Gernant, John V. Epler, M. D., and 
Jacob Freeman. The Lutheran members on this committee 
were:—Tobias Clauser and Reuben Wanner. Two addi¬ 
tional members were:—John Spayd, master carpenter and 
Adam Berger, master mason. 

Business meetings were held in the basement as early 
as March 6th, 1868. Very likely services were conducted in 
the basement of the church on and after July 5, 1868; for 
the pastorate of Rev. Benjamin D. Zweizig dates from that 
time. 

The by-laws of the articles of incorporation were 
adopted, March 9, 1868. New officers were elected as fol¬ 
lows:—President, D. E. Fisher; vice-president, John Moll; 
secretary, I. M. Rahn; treasurer, L. M. Lenhart. 

The main floor with its furnishings of pews, altar, etc., 
was finished by January 15th, 1872. In that same year on 
Christmas morning the people of Leesport and vicinity 
were amazed to find the church in flames. The following 
is recorded in the minute-book, “December 25th, 1872, fire 
was discovered in the new church of “Trinity German Re¬ 
formed and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Leesport” at 
about 5 o’clock the same morning. Nothing was saved. 
Every effort was made by the citizens of Leesport to 
quench the fire, but to no avail. Loss is estimated $20,- 
000.00. The cause of the fire is unknown.” The building 
was partly insured. 

With one accord the members of the congregations 
prepared to rebuild. Again, the first meeting was held in 
the old Leesport schoolhouse, January 27th, 1873. Other 
meetings were held in Kauffman’s schoolhouse and in the 
rooms of the Leesport Building Association. 

A plan for the building was furnished by Fink & 
Eisenhower. This plan was finally adopted. The new 
church should have a main building and chapel. The ma¬ 
terial used in rebuilding should be brick. The trustees, S. 
M. Lenhart, John Haines, J. V. Epler, M. D., and Reuben 
Wanner were advised to ascertain the cost of said proposed 
building, by contract, labor, or otherwise, to select the 
cheaper method and rebuild at once. 

The chapel was finished by March 25th, 1874. Services 


138 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

were conducted in the chapel until 1881 when the main 
building was completed. The church was dedicated on 
November 27th, 1881. A pipe organ was purchased some 
years later. Other alterations have since been made, such 
as change of position of pipe organ, another pulpit, electric 
lights, steam-heat, stained-glass windows, etc. 

The first pastor of the Lutheran congregation was the 
Rev. Benjamin D. Zweizig. He gave his services to this 
congregation until he died—from July 5, 1868 until Sep¬ 
tember 9, 1903. The second pastor called was the Rev. 
George S. Seaman. He labored in this vineyard for ten 
years, 1904-1914. Both of-these pastors were born and 
reared in Berks County at or near Hamburg. The third 
and present pastor is Rev. Elbert E. Landis, whose labors 
began December 20 ,1914. 

The organists who played in this church were:—Levi 
Kauffman, Mrs. A H Gernant, Miss Sallie Lenhart, Miss 
Carrie Brobst, Wm. Lewis, Edward Kauffman. The present 
organist and choir leader is Miss Jean Glover. 

The superintendents of the union Sunday School were, 
I. N. Rahn for 30 years, and C. Edward Spayd for 25 years. 
Otis Rothenberger is the present superintendent. 

The two congregations have a union ladies’ aid society. 
The Lutheran congregation claims a healthy adult mission¬ 
ary society, a junior misisonary society and a Luther 
League. 


ST. JOHN’S ONTELAUNEE TOWNSHIP 

T JOHN’S Church is located one mile east of Lees- 
CS) port. The church edifice stands on a very favor- 
able site and may be seen from various directions 
in the community. 

The present church building is probably the second 
house of worship which was erected and used by the Re¬ 
formed and Lutheran congregations. The contention that 
a church building was erected either previous to 1794 or 
sometime between 1794 and 1868, is but weakly supported. 
The records at hand are these: the present building con¬ 
tains two corner-stones, the first one dated 1794 and the 
second 1868; the deeds indicate that the congregations 


139 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


held no land previous to 1794; the builders of the present 
edifice name but two dates, the founding of the church 
1794, and the rebuilding of the church 1868; there was no 
cemetery before 1794. The earliest burial was that of 
Nicholas Schaeffer, who was born 1732—died 1796. 

The edifice erected in 1794 was built of logs which 
were rough cast. The interior was furnished with gal- 



CERX ANT’S CHURCH 


leries on three sides. The pipe organ was placed on the 
rear gallery. Two hundred feet back of the building along 
the cemetery boundary stood an old log schoolhouse. This 
schoolhouse was used for catechetical instruction, etc., for 
many years. It is believed by some that this schoolhouse 


140 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


stood before 1794 and that the congregations were organized 
in it, and then planned and built the first church. 

The trustees, elders and deacons of the congregations 
at the time of the erection of the first church building 
in 1794 were Jacob Rahn, Yost Lies, Nicholas Schaeffer, 
John Althouse, Ludwig Bausher and Jacob Huy. An appeal 
for financial aid, dated November 25, 1795, was addressed 
to the community. This appeal is well preserved and 
appears in excellent form and hardwriting. If one may 
judge by the signatures it was penned by John Gernant. 
There are two copies of this appeal: the first, an English, 
the second a German copy. It reads, as follows: “Whereas 
the German Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Congre¬ 
gations in and about Maidencreek have jointly built a house 
of worship in said township, which they have finished, and 
exerted their utmost endeavors to defray the charges 
thereof, but finding themselves considerable in debt; they 
therefore beg those disposed to charity to lend their assis¬ 
tance by contributing something, what they think necessary, 
in order that said congregations may be enabled to dis¬ 
charge their debts. Which donations shall be gratefully 
held in remembrance by said congregations.” 

Maidencreek Township, 

November 25th, 1795. 

John Gernant, Louis Bossier, J. E. Eckert, Jacob Huy, 

Nicholas Schaeffer. 

The title of the congregations as recorded on the above 
appeal and on the first two deeds is “The German Evan¬ 
gelical Lutheran and Reformed Church”. In the third 
deed, dated February 11, 1834, the name St. John’s is used. 
The original title, one would naturally conclude, was “St. 
John’s German Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed 
Church.’’ The title was written differently when on Febru¬ 
ary 10th, 1868, the Articles of Incorporation were adopted 
and secured. The present title is “St. John’s German Re¬ 
formed and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ontelaunee”. 
The popular title of the congregations is Gernants. The 
first deeds that use this name in explanatory fashion are 
dated June 4th, 1870. No doubt the name came to be used 


141 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

from the fact that much of the land first belonged to the 
Gernant’s family and because of the prominence of the 
heads of the family in congregational activities. 

The land on which the first church was erected and 
where the old cemetery is located was procured from Mor- 
decai Lee and John Gernant. One-half acre was bought 
from Mordecai Lee for the sum of five pounds (English 
money) ; one hundred fifty-six perches were “granted by 
indenture by said John Gernant and Maria his wife, bear¬ 
ing even date herewith November 22, 1795”. This land 
was secured for the purpose of having a joint burial ground 
and a place of worship. This information is found in the 
deed of Mordecai Lee. The second deed, dated August 13th, 
1819, tells of the purchase of four acres, ninety-seven 
perches from William and John Willits for the sum of 
$160.00. Another deed recorded February 11th, 1834, 
shows the purchase of ninety-five perches from Thomas 
Smith for the sum of $125.00. One hundred seventeen 
perches were bought from John H. Gernant and Adam H. 
Gernant (sons of the above named John Gernant) for the 
sum of $73.00. Also twelve acres, one hundred- fifty-three 
perches from John H. Gernant and Adam H. Gernant for 
the sum of $1295.62 1 /2. The two last named tracts were 
bought at the rate of $100.00 per acre, the price agreed 
upon according to the minutes and also stated in the deeds 
dated June 4th, 1870. Later a tenement house with three 
acres, fifteen perches, was purchased from Frederick Kehr. 
When the present church was about to be built, it was re¬ 
solved to sell certain tracts of land. This was probably 
done. It is estimated that the present property consists of 
eighteen (18) acres. 

Through the efforts of Harry Spang, son-in-law of 
John H. Gernant in 1921 and 1922, a separate fund for the 
care of the cemetery has been provided. Harry Spang 
personally canvassed members and friends of the con¬ 
gregations for subscriptions to the amount of $7000.00. 
Hie also assisted the committee in procuring the larger part 
of the remaining subscriptions. The total subscriptions 
amount to $10,000.00. The other members of the commit¬ 
tee were: George Hottenstein, Morris Rothenberger, Wil- 


142 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


liam Dries, Wert Rahn, Morris Stoyer, Oswill Rahn and 
Edwin Clay. 

The present church building was planned by the mem¬ 
bers of the congregations at business sessions held on Sep¬ 
tember 14, 18, 23, and 30, 1867. At the first meeting 
Charles D. Hottenstein was elected president and John R. 
Hottenstein, secretary. At this first session the location 
for the new building was selected—the ballots, with one 
exception, favored the new location. The men appointed 
on the building-site committee were: William Rahn, Charles 
Y. Moser, and Henry Gromis. This committee was directed 
to call on John H. Gernant and Adam H. Gernant. At the 
second meeting the committee reported that one or two 
acres of land could be secured from John H. Gernant and 
Adam H. Gernant. Later at another business meeting they 
agreed to buy land from John H. Gernant and Adam H. 
Gernant at the rate of $100.00 per acre. The edifice accord¬ 
ingly was located about three hundred feet east of the old 
church. Next it was agreed that a subscription committee 
should be appointed, and that labor as well as money should 
be considered in redeeming pledges. The Lutherans named 
on the subscription committee were: Henry Gauker, Henry 
Gromis, Samuel Edelman, David Schlegel; the Reformed 
members of the committee were John H. Gernant, John E. 
Fisher, Charles Y. Moser and Franklin Rothenberger. 

The new church was to be built of brick; it should con¬ 
tain a basement and also a main room for worship with 
galleries on each side and rear, and a foundation should 
be made for a steeple. In size it was to be somewhat simi¬ 
lar to Epler’s church. The men elected to serve as members 
of the building committee were: Henry Gromis, Henry 
Gauker, Charles Y. Moser, treasurer, John H. Gernant, 
William Rahn and Franklin Rothenberger. On September 
23 it was resolved that the congregations should secure a 
charter; on September 30th the Articles of Incorporation 
were read and adopted. These Articles of Incorporation 
were approved by the court, W. J. Woodward, presiding 
judge, on February 10, 1868. The charter is signed by the 
following: John H. Gernant, Isaac Berg, Charles Berg, 
Franklin Rothenberger, Daniel E. Edelman, John R. Fisher, 


143 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


George Stoudt, Jacob Rahn, Henry Gass, Daniel Stoudt, 
Jacob K. Huy, John W. Althouse. 

The corner-stone laying took place in 1868. Business ses¬ 
sions were held in the new basement of the church as early 
as April 18th, 1870. The main room of worship and gal¬ 
leries were not completed until 1886. The members handled 
the debt with a great deal of difficulty. On May 14th, 
1874, at a business meeting, it was decided to levy a per 
capita tax of $5.00 on male members and $3.00 on female 
members. It was further agreed to levy a real estate and 
property tax for the balance of the debt. It was also agreed 
that payment should be made in two installments; the first 
on July 1st, 1874, the second on January 1st, 1875. The 
members selected for this tax committee were: A. M. Glas- 
mire, C. D. Hottenstein, J. M. Rahn. At another time in 
order to avoid a sheriff-sale, Benneville Dunkel settled a 
debt of $1500.00. This loan was secured with a note en¬ 
dorsed by a number of loyal church members and later 
on was paid. Those who had endorsed the note were given 
cemetery lots in appreciation and part payment. 

The church was finally completed and dedicated Octo¬ 
ber 24th, 1886. The offering on that occasion amounted 
to $148.15. The present pipe organ was obtained from the 
Miller Organ Company for $1,200.00. It was dedicated June 
12th, 1887. The offering on this occasion amounted to 
$81.35. The church bell was purchased in 1911 at a cost 
of $700.00. At the dedication of the bell, Rev. George S. 
Seaman used the inscription on the bell “O, come let us 
worship’’ as the text for the sermon. 

The Lutheran pastors who served here were: Revs. 
Ditzler, Harpel, R. S. Wagner, Miller, Minnich, B. D. Zwei- 
zig, G. S. Seaman. The present pastor is Rev. Elbert E. 
Landis. The Rev. John K. Stoudt is serving the Reformed 
congregation. The Lutheran congregation claims one son 
in the minstry, Rev. Wert Dries, pastor of the Mahoning 
parish, Lehighton, Pa. 

The former organist, John Heinz, served this congre¬ 
gation, Epler’s, and Hinnerschitz for a period of forty years. 
The present organist, John B. Ammarell, served this con¬ 
gregation and Epler’s for thirty-four years, and Hinner- 


144 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

schitz for nineteen years. The present Sunday School 
superintendent is Morris Rothenberger. The church offi¬ 
cers are: Wilson Mease, Wm. Dries, Edwin Clay, Alfred 
Ramich, Morris Stoyer, George Hottenstein. 



EPLER'S CHURCH 

EPLER’S, BERN TOWNSHIP 

e PLER’S church is a plain brick building located on a 
commanding site in the central part of Bern Town¬ 
ship. The Reformed had a congregation here at a 
very early day. No positive date as to the time of its 
first organization can be settled upon. It was probably be¬ 
tween the years 1727 and 1738. In their first church, 
which apparently was a log structure, the Reformed breth¬ 
ren worshiped from 50 to 60 years until 1788. Then they 
erected a new stone church. No details are given of this 
church. This remained in use until 1851 or a period of 63 


145 













































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


years. Then the present brick structure was built. The 
corner-stone was laid June 1, 1851. Abraham Koenig, Wil¬ 
liam Hierbine, Jacob Gerhart, and John Fox were the build¬ 
ing committee. It was dedicated April 11, 1852. For 90 to 
98 years it remained in the hands of the Reformed alone. 
Then it became a union church. In 1898 a beautiful square 
tower, without spire, was added and a splendidly toned bell 
of 3000 pounds placed in it. This addition cost about 
$3000.00. The church has a fine organ placed there by 
Thomas Dieffenbach in 1877. 

The present Reformed pastor is the Rev. George W. 
Gerhart. 

In 1825 Rev. Walz commenced holding services for the 
Lutherans. Rev. George Minnich served from 1833 to 51; 
Rev. R. L. Wagner from 1851 to 60; Rev. J. J. Kuendig from 
1860 to 1862. Rev. Kuendig was succeeded by Rev. Benja¬ 
min D. Zweizig who labored for the congregation until the 
time of his death, 1903. Rev. George S. Seaman served 
from 1904 to 1914 and was followed by Rev. Elbert E. Lan¬ 
dis, the present pastor. 

John Heinz was the organist from 1848 to 1889. He 
was followed by John B. Ammarell, the present incumbent. 
For many years a good school for the study of German 
was conducted here, 1848-1858, by John Heinz. 

Improvements are being made to the interior of the 
edifice at this time. Electric lights are being installed, 
the walls frescoed and other changes made. The original 
tract of land was undoubtedly donated by the Epler family, 
who owned the surrounding property and who were for 
many years prominent in the church. A cemetery of about 
six acres adjoins the church. A prosperous Sunday School, 
organized in 1875, is also connected with the church. 

William Blatt is the present superintendent. 

The Church officers are: Elmer W. Potteiger, Samuel 
J. Stoudt, Clinton F. Bagenstose, Harry H. Rothermel, Ray¬ 
mond V. Roth, Harvey T. Reifsnyder, William F. Balthaser, 
Walter Rothermel. 


146 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


HINXERSHITZ 


CHURCH 


HINNERSCHITZ, MUHLENBERG TOWNSHIP 

INNERSCHITZ union church is located in the vil- 
'jfcl loge of Tuckerton, about four miles north of 
Beading. It was built in 1849 in the township of 
Alsace. Two years later this part of the township was 
taken from Alsace and reorganized into Muhlenberg 
Township, named in memory of the pioneer Lutheran, Rev. 
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg. 

These forefathers felt that an ideal community must 
possess a house of God. To the larger number of people 
in this vicinity, the nearest church was Alsace union about 
three miles distant. 

On May 3rd, 1845, the citizens of Alsace, Maidencreek 
and Bern townships, met at the home of Samuel Mengel 
in Maidencreek Township. At this meeting it was decided 
to build a church at the present location. Those taking 
part in this project were Michael Shalter, Jonas Schalter, 



147 





















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


George Shalter, Nicholas Schaeffer, Peter Rothermel, 
Daniel Maurer, George Maurer, and John Zacharias. The 
members of the subscription committee were Michael Shal¬ 
ter, William Hinnerschitz and George Medlar. Armed 
with a written appeal the committee succeeded in getting 
subscriptions amounting to $549.50. The appeal read: 
“Therefore we appeal to the friends of religion for sup¬ 
port and aid in the propagation of the Christian religion. 
The object is to build a church in common for the advance¬ 
ment of Lutheran and German Reformed congregations. 
The church is to be entirely independent of the Theologi¬ 
cal Seminaries of Mercersburg and Gettysburg. The sub¬ 
scribers will become members in common in a deed of 
trust for themselves and their heirs forever. Therefore 
we appeal to all persons that have the welfare of the 
Christian religion at heart to aid the undertaking. Re¬ 
member whatever we subscribe is lending to the Lord.” 

The building committee was composed of John Zach¬ 
arias, George Maurer, Nicholas Schaeffer, Jonas Shalter 
and Peter Rothermel. The church, a square brick build¬ 
ing, was completed in 1849. In style of architecture it 
resembled the old Belleman’s church. One acre of land 
was donated by William Hinnerschitz, February 17th, 1849. 
Two additional acres of land were purchased in 1850. The 
church received the name “Hinnerschitz” through the donor 
of the property. The dedication took place on April 28, 
1850. 

An organ was purchased from Bohler & Son, Reading, 
August 30th, 1850. The present tower with bell was a gift 
from Catharine Maurer in memory of her deceased parents,. 
Daniel and Mary Maurer, and her deceased bother, Daniel 
Maurer, Jr., in the year 1899. 

This church building was remodeled and enlarged in 
1910 at an approximate cost of $10,000.00. Desiring to 
have a share in the improvement of the property, Chris¬ 
topher Shearer donated an oil painting which depicts the 
crucifixion and burial of Jesus at Golgotha (the place of 
the skull). This painting is recognized and appreciated 
as one of Artist Shearer’s masterpieces. 

In 1919, the Men’s League canvassed all the members. 


148 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


of both congregations to pay off the church debt of about 
$4000.00. The Ladies’ Aid Society which had already done 
much to decrease the debt, again did its share. The Sun¬ 
shine Workers likewise cooperated in this task. The pur¬ 
pose was accomplished. The event known as Old Home 
Day was celebrated June 12, 1920, and the mortgage was 
burned. On this occasion addresses were delivered by Clar¬ 
ence Rahn, Charles Manmiller, Rev. George S. Seaman, 
Rev. Elmer Leinbach, Rev. George Gerhard and Rev. El¬ 
bert E. Landis. 

The Rev. George Gerhard is the present Reformed 
pastor. 

The Lutheran pastors were Revs. R. L. Wagner, G. 
F. Iaeger, Thomas T. Iaeger, Benjamin D. Zweizig, and 
George S. Seaman. The present Lutheran pastor is Rev. 
Elbert E. Landis. 

Hinnerschitz choir was organized and trained for a 
number of years by D. Warren Heckman, chorister. The 
organist during this time and at present is Miss Mary 
Rothenberger. 

Each congyegation has a missionary society. The 
congregations conduct a union Sunday School. The graded 
series is used in the course of study. Fred Ammarell is 
superintendent. A Daily Vacation Bible School was held 
last summer (1922). 

ZION’S, MAXATAWNY 

following translation of the historical introduction 
ij to the constitution, as found in the first Treasurer’s 
Record Book, will serve to indicate the manner of 
the founding of the Lutheran and Reformed congregations 
at Maxatawny. “In the Name of the Triune God, Father, 
Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. 

“Know all men by these presents, both the present 
as well as the future generations, the manner of the be¬ 
ginning of this union congregation. 

“The lack of schools in this vicinity made it necessary 
to effect an arrangement for a schoolhouse. This came 
to pass October 20, A. D., 1817. In order to further this 


149 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


necessary undertaking, Mr. Jacob Leibensperger gave 
three-quarters of an acre of land, situated in Maxatawny 
township, Berks Co., Pa., and bounded by lands of said 
Jacob Leibensperger, Daniel Siegfried, Peter Hehn, and 
along the Easton highway. Hereupon two trustees, on 
behalf of the supporters of the schoolhouse were chosen 
to establish a school arrangement. To these trustees, 
Daniel Hoch and John Siegfried and their successors in 


MAXATAWNY CHURCH 



150 













LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


office, as well as to the supporters of this school and their 
successors, the aforesaid Jacob Leibensperger and his wife 
Eva, gave a deed in trust, dated April 13, A. D. 1818, for 
the consideration therein mentioned (one dollar). Messrs. 
Matthias Leibensperger and Henry Metzger were then 
chosen as a building committee, and under their super¬ 
vision the schoolhouse was erected. 

“On second Christmas Day, 1826, the school consti¬ 
tuency (Schul-Gemeinde) assembled for worship and with 
the object of establishing a union congregation. Rev. 
Chas. H. Herman, Reformed minister, was the preacher 
on the occasion and his sermon on the Gospel for the day 
was very suitable for the object in view. After the serv¬ 
ices a conference was held with reference to the building 
of an Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed church on the 
aforementioned land, and arrangements made to give all 
who favored the erection of a church, an opportunity to 
subscribe voluntarily what each desired to give. 

“February 18, A. D., 1827, Rev. John Knoske, Luth¬ 
eran Minister, preached on I Kings 8:18, 19, on which 
occasion the following building committee was chosen: 
Reformed, John Siegfried and Henry Metzger; Lutheran, 
Jacob Hefner and John H. Siegfried. 

“Finally a day was appointed for the laying of the 
corner-stone, namely: April 13, A. D. 1828. Before this 
festival occasion however, the two evangelical congrega¬ 
tions agreed upon the following articles, in hope and trust 
upon the help of God.” 

These articles of agreement (nineteen in number) 
under date of April 13, A. D. 1828, bear the following 
signatures: David Grim, Michael Fischer, George Smith, 
Jonathan Leibensperger, Johannes Fischer, Solomon 
Fischer, Charles G. Herman, Daniel Siegfried, Jacob 
Haasz, Moses Leibensperger, Peter Schaeffer, members. 
Building committee: Johannes Siegfried, Henry Metzger, 
Reformed; Jacob Hefner, Johannes H. Siegfried, Luth¬ 
eran. Benjamin German, Lutheran Minister; Joseph S. 
Dubs, Reformed Minister. 

No date is given when the church was dedicated, but 
article 19 provides that a short statement of the existing 


151 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


government under which the church was built be re¬ 
corded, and placed in the corner-stone. The following is 
the statement: “The Government of the United States 
of North America consists of a President, John Quincy 
Adams; a Vice President, John C. Calhoun; a Senate and 
House of Representatives. The government of our state 
of Pennsylvania consists of a Governor, John Andrew 
Shulze; a Senate and a House of Representatives. The 
seat of our state government is at Harrisburg, and our 
blessed country, the United States, is at present com¬ 
posed of 24 states, wherein civil and religious liberty 
prevail.” 

The church was erected at a cost of $2007.62. Various 
improvements and additions to the church property were 
made at different times. In 1847 an organ was bought 
from George S. Krauss, and installed at a cost of $771.71. 
Additional land was acquired as follows: 

Dec. 15, 1828, by gift from Jonathan Leibensperger, 
1/4 acre; March 20, 1850, by purchase from Jonathan Leib¬ 
ensperger, 99 perches, price $50; Sept. 16, 1865, by pur¬ 
chase, from Jacob Leibensperger, 1 acre, 16 perches, price 
8250.00; Nov. 23, 1865, by purchase, from Solomon Kuhns, 
75 perches, price $117; May 24, 1881, by gift, from Matilda 
Kohler, 2280 square feet; June 30, 1890, by purchase, from 
Matilda Kohler, 25,980 square feet, price $89.47; Feb. 5, 
1902, by purchase, from Matilda Kohler, 45,694 square feet, 
price $236; Aug. 30, 1919, by purchase, from Gerald J. S. 
Kohler, 1 acre, 18 99-100 perches, price $251.64. 

Thus gradually did the congregation come into pos¬ 
session of their fine burial place and church property. 

November 14, 1889, steps were taken for the erection 
of a new church. At a union congregational meeting 
December 9, 1889, it was unanimously decided to do so 
and the building committee appointed consisting of Wm. 
S. Fisher, Percival N. Kressley, George L. Smith, and 
Garion G. Guldin. The corner-stone was laid May 18, 1890, 
and the building dedicated the summer of 1891. In 1922 
this building was completely renovated at a cost of $7000. 

The congregations possess a complete and perfect finan¬ 
cial record from the time of the organization in 1828. 


152 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Since this is the case in the matter of finances, it is rather 
surprising to the writer that he cannot find a record of the 
different pastorates. The following pastors have served the 
Lutheran congregation, but we are not quite certain of the 
earlier dates: Johann Knoske, 1827-1828; Benjamin Ger¬ 
man, 1828-1832; Isaac Roeller, 1832-1860; B. E. Kramlich, 
1860-Jan. 1, 1900; F. K. Bernd, Sept. 1, 1900-May 2, 1921; 
Wm. S. Dry, Oct. 30, 1921 to—. 

These congregations have one record of which they 
may justly be proud, namely: their record of furnishing 
men for the Gospel Ministry. From the Lutheran congre¬ 
gation there have entered into the ministry: J. 0. Leibens- 
perger, St. Peter’s, Bethlehem; W. W. Kramlich, Herndon 
parish; A. W. Leibensperger, Reamstown parish; George 
S. Kressley, Litt. D. of the Allentown High School; George 
R. Deisher, Jonestown parish; William H. Kline, Topton par¬ 
ish; Ambrose B. C. Hering, Settlement Work, Pittsburgh; 
A. M. Stump, St. Paul’s, Red Hill. 

The sister congregation has given Geo. W. Richards, 
D. D., LL. D., President of the Reformed Theological Sem¬ 
inary, Lancaster; and George W. Smith, the present pastor 
of Zion’s Reformed congregation. 

ST. PAUL’S, MERTZTOWN 

*^ROM a deed dated May 3,1837, we are apprised of 
the fact that Reuben Trexler, Iron Master, and his 
wife Anna, and Nathan Trexler and his wife Phoebe, 
gave to Jairus Haas, Treasurer of St. Paul’s Church, and 
to his successors in office two tracts of land, one contain¬ 
ing 2 acres and 130 perches, and the other 87 perches “for 
the sole purpose of building thereon a common church to 
worship God under the Lutheran and Presbyterian doctrine, 
and the residue to be used as a graveyard and a road to the 
graveyard and for no other use whatsoever.” 

The corner-stone was laid on Ascension Day, May 4, 
1837. No date is given when the church was consecrated. 
The building committee consisted of Daniel Ginginger, 
Jonas Trexler, Jonathan Haas and John Diener. 

The church record in which the names of the dif¬ 
ferent members of the Lutheran Church Council appear has 


153 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, MERTZTOWN 


the following: “List of the Lutheran Church Council who 
were still installed in the old Longswamp church, and who 
now serve as Elders and Deacons in the new church until 
their term of office expires and a new election is held: 
Elders—Reuben Trexler, Jacob Friedrich; Deacons—Nathan 
Trexler, Philip Vogely, Solomon Friedrich, and George 
Fritch” 

From this it is evident that a Lutheran organization 
existed prior to 1837, that it worshiped in the Longswamp 
church, and that it is this organization which removed 


154 







LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


to Mertztown and built the present St. Paul’s Church. The 
next record we have of the Church Council is that of April 
21, 1838, when Peter Vogely and Benjamin Kercher were 
installed as Elders for a term of three years, and Samuel 
Kercher and John Drescher as Deacons for a like term. 

St. Paul’s Church also has in its possession the church 
record of pastoral acts. It bears the following title page: 
“Church Record of the Ev. Lutheran Congregation in Long- 
swamp, Nov. 30, 1817.” This record contains the baptisms 
from the year 1818 and cover a portion of Rev. Kramlich’s 
pastorate. This also would indicate that the regular or¬ 
ganization left Longswamp and built the present St. Paul’s, 
and that the dissenting minority remained at Longswamp 
to continue their worship with the Reformed. 

Unfortunately we have no record to verify the dates 
of the first partorate. Tradition has it that Rev. Isaac 
Roeller was the first pastor. He served the Lutheran 
congregation in Longswamp. The Lutherans rented the 
building from the Reformed. “When the contract was again 
to be renewed, objections were raised, and so the Luth¬ 
erans under Rev. Roeller went out, carrying some of the 
Reformed with them.” He served St. Paul's until 1859. 

We have a record of the second pastorate, namely that 
of Rev. Benjamin E. Kramlich. He was elected to St. Paul’s 
April 12, 1860, and served until his death January 1, 1900. 

Rev. Kramlich was followed by the late Rev. F. K. 
Bernd. The dates of his ministry at St. Paul’s are Sept. 1, 
1900 to May 2, 1921. 

The present pastor is Rev. W. S. Dry, who is serving 
since October 30, 1921. 

As for the Reformed congregation we are told that 
about the time of the completion of the building Rev. Chas. 
G. Herman effected an organization. The present Re¬ 
formed pastor is Rev. M. H. Brensinger. 

St. Paul’s has given three of its sons to serve in the 
ministry: Rev. Wm. O. Fegely, pastor of the historic Trappe 
congregation; Rev. H. W. Warmkessel, pastor of Hope 
Church, Reading; and Rev. J. F. Kramlich. pastor of Grace 
Church, Royersford. 


155 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

The present building is the first. It was renovated 
about 35 years ago. 


BECKER’S ST. PETER’S, RICHMOND TOWNSHIP 

^yi^HIS church is called “Becker’s’’ St. Peter’s to dis- 
fl tinguish it from St. Peter’s Reformed Church close 
by. The latter building was used jointly by the 
Lutherans and Reformed for a number of years until about 
the year 1863 when a dispute arose between certain parties 


BECKER'S ST. PETER’S CHURCH 





156 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

in this Church, and the Lutherans were refused the use of 
the building any longer. Some of the Reformed members 
disagreed with their pastor, and they together with the 
Lutherans withdrew and built Becker’s St. Peter’s Church. 

A plot of land containing two acres and eighty-five 
perches was surveyed in November, 1865 and presented to 
the Church by Henry Becker and his wife. 

The congregation was organized April 4, 1866 when 
the Lutherans and the Reformed united to build for the 
purposes of their worship, a church, which is to be a union 
church between the two named congregations. 

The corner-stone was laid May 27, 1866 in the presence 
of a large concourse of people, by the Reverends Jacob F. 
Wicklein, Lutheran pastor, and R. S. Appel, Reformed pas¬ 
tor. The building was completed in six months and dedi¬ 
cated November 25, 1866. The cost was S6,000. This 
amount does not include the labor and material that were 
furnished gratuitously by the members. 

A reed organ, costing $800, was dedicated October 
11, 1868. The cemetery was laid out in November, 1866 
and dedicated Easter Sunday, 1867. 

The first service by the Reformed congregation was 
conducted by the Rev. R. S. Appel in 1865, who has served 
continuously up to the present time—a period of 58 years. 

The first Lutheran service was conducted by Rev. 
Jacob F. Wicklein, January 1, 1866, and the first Lutheran 
communion was celebrated March 31, 1867 when a class 
of 27 catechumens, confirmed the preceding day, received 
their first communion. Pastor Wicklein served the Luth¬ 
eran congregation from its founding till his death in the 
fall of 1873, a period of about 8 years. He was accidentally 
killed by a falling limb while on a gunning trip to Schuylkill 
County, Pennsylvania. 

From February 8, 1874 to April 24, 1904, the congre¬ 
gation was served by the late Rev. F. K. Huntzinger. During 
his pastorate of 30 years, various additions and improve¬ 
ments were made to the church property. Additional land 
for cemetery purposes was acquired from Joel R. Becker 
and consecrated June 9, 1889; the church was remodeled 
and renovated at a cost of S1800, special reopening services 


157 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

being held May 15, 1893; in 1898 the tower was built and 
a bell placed therein at a cost of S1663, the dedication being 
held September 3, 1899. 

Rev. F. K. Bernd served the congregation from May 
1904 until his death on May 2, 1921, a period of 17 years. 

The present pastor is Rev. W. S. Dry, who took charge 
of the congregation October 30, 1921. 

A plot of 3 acres and 108 perches was bought for 
cemetery purposes from Daniel E. S. Dries and wife on 
July 21, 1921, the consideration being $551. 

The church is located on a high elevation in Richmond 
Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, near the well 
known Moselem Ore Bank and the Moselem Furnace, which 
was abandoned in 1885. The abandoning of this furnace 
was felt quite considerably by the congregation as it caused 
about 75 members to remove beyond the bounds of the 
congregation to seek employment elsewhere. The con¬ 
gregation at present has one student for the ministry in 
the person of Morris S. Greth. 

ALLEGHENY, ALLEGHENYVILLE 

/mgrnrHE Allegheny Church is located in Brecknock Town- 
L\\ ship, Berks County, Pennsylvania. It was founded 
in 1767. Prior to that time the people of that 
community held meetings in private homes and in the 
schoolhouse and were generally instructed by the school 
teacher of the community. It was only once in a while 
that a regularly ordained minister would preach to them 
and administer the Holy Sacraments. 

The land on which the first church building was 
erected, together with the burial grounds, were obtained 
from Christian Bowman, a Mennonite, who at that time 
owned nearly all the territory known as the Allegheny Val¬ 
ley. The price paid for the ground was merely nominal. 

The first church building was a log structure 30 x 40 
feet, with but a few windows and no floor. It had no 
heating apparatus and the few seats it contained were made 
of rough chestnut boards. 

The church from the beginning was organized as a 


158 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


union church, consisting of Lutherans, Reformed and Men- 
nonites. 

In the year 1800 the old log building was replaced by 
a red sandstone building, of modern architecture and a 
much larger seating capacity to accommodate the rapidly 
increasing membership of the Lutheran and Reformed con¬ 
gregations; the Mennonite people, having in the meantime 
erected their own house of worship about a mile east of 
this church. This second building stood on the same site 
that the present building occupies; the log structure having 
stood about one-half block to the south. The building com- 



ALLEGHENY CHURCH 


159 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

mittee of this second church included John Ziemer and 
Henry Ziemer. 

In the year 1878 the third and present building was 
erected with a seating capacity of 900. The building is of 
local sandstone and is 50 x 75 feet with galleries and a 
pipe organ. The corner-stone was laid May 23, 1878 and 
the church was dedicated November 15 of the same year. 
The builidng committee consisted of:—Henry Wagner, 
Aaron Kohl, Samuel Ziegler, Samuel Good and Jacob 
Zerbe. 

In 1845 the church was incorporated and a charter 
was granted by the Berks County courts. The joint Church 
Council to whom the charter was granted included: Elders: 
John Gebhart, John Gougher, William Schweitzer, Absalom 
Eshelman, and John Zerbe; Deacons: Jacob Fritz, Peter 
Hertz, Levi Rathman, Daniel Hertz and Henry Kachel. 

The cost of this edifice, exclusive of much labor, haul¬ 
ing and heavy timber donated by the members, was S10.000. 

In 1809 John Christian Ludwig Schaffer willed to the 
two congregations a farm of 82 acres two miles southwest 
of the church and also a certain sum of money. The will 
directed that the income of the farm and the interest of 
the money should be used to maintain a school for the free 
education of the young people of the community. This 
school prospered for a while but gradually went back be¬ 
cause of a want of patronage and finally it was abandoned. 
The money and income of the farm have since been used for 
the improvement of the church; permission to do this hav¬ 
ing been obtained by a special decree of the court. Mr. 
Schaffer was born March 17, 1729 at Hartelhausen, Ger¬ 
many, and died March 10, 1814, in Brecknock Township, 
Berks County, Pennsylvania. He was buried in the old 
graveyard to the south of the church and his burial place 
is marked by a large flat marble stone. 

In 1900 the present edifice was greatly improved in 
appearance by being beautifully frescoed and painted. The 
ministers who officiated at the rededicatory services were: 
Dr. Henry Mosser, Reading; Rev. David K. Humbert, 
Bowers; Rev. Z. H. Gable and Rev. J. V. George, Reading. 

The 150th anniversary of the founding of the Church 


160 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


was observed September 9, 1917 and was an event long to 
be remembered. The church was beautifully decorated 
with evergreens and flowers. The congregations at all 
three services were very large. The ministers who offi¬ 
ciated at these services were: Rev. R. B. Lynch, Kutz- 
town, president of the Reading Conference; Rev. Edwin 
H. Romig, pastor of St. Andrew’s Reformed Church, Read¬ 
ing and the two local pastors, Rev. J. V. George and Rev. 
Chas. G. Heffner. 

Among the first people buried on the old burial 
grounds we find the following family names:—Fitterling, 
Hoshoner, Ziemer, Good, Ziegler, Wagner, Bowman, Kohl, 
Bixler, Schweitzer, Boehm, Schneider and Trostle. 

Rev. J. V. George, D. D., has been pastor of the Re¬ 
formed congregation since June, 1890. 

The Lutheran pastors who served from 1767 to 1860 
were:—Rev. Harpel, Rev. Thomas Iaeger and Rev. Reuben 
Wagner. On April 1, 1860 the Lutheran congregation 
elected Rev. Benj. D. Zweizig who served the congregation 
until the election of Rev. D. K. Humbert on August 11, 1867. 
Rev. Humbert served the congregation until the fall of 
1872. Then the pulpit was filled by supply pastors until 
August 17, 1873 when Rev. Z. H. Gable was elected. Rev. 
Gable served this congregation faithfully until the day of 
his death, December 15, 1909. 

The congregation was then again supplied by pastors 
of the Reading Conference, the Rev. F. K. Bernd, president. 
On April 18, 1910, Rev. Chas. G. Heffner, then pastor of 
the Washingtonville congregation, Danville Conference, was 
elected as pastor of this congregation. He has been the 
incumbent since July 1, 1910. 

Rev. Howard I. Kern, pastor of Christ Church, Maha- 
noy City, is a son of this congregation. 


ST. JOHN’S, MOHNTON 

N NOVEMBER 4, 1899 the Mission Committee of the 
Reading Conference called Rev. M. H. Stettler to 
work in Reading and its vicinity. On November 15, 
Rev. Stettler and Rev. M. C. Horine, D. D., secured the use 
of Henry Ruth’s hall for worship in Mohnton. The first 
service was held in this hall on November 19, 1899 with 18 




161 




ST. JOHN’S CHURCH, MOHNTON 

162 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

persons present. On December 10, 1899 the Sunday School 
was partly organized and the first Christmas service was 
held December 25 of that year. 

The Ladies’ Aid Society was organized December 31, 
1899 and the Luther League, February 14, 1900. On April 
29, 1900 the Ladies’ Aid Society decided to purchase the 
lot on which to erect the church building from Mr. George 
Schaeffer for the sum of $200.00. 

On May 10, 1900 the name St. John’s Evangelical 
Lutheran Church was adopted. On June 22 the building 
committee met for the first time and application for incor- 







LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

poration was made through Geo. M. Jones, Esq. June 
27, 1900 the stakes were driven and the lines drawn for the 
foundation of the church. Ground w T as broken by Rev. 
Stettler on June 30, 1900. August 25, 1900 the charter of 
incorporation was granted by the courts of Berks County. 
September 2, 1900 the corner-stone of the church was laid. 
The pastor was assisted in these services by Rev. C. E. Kist- 
ler, Rev. J. W. Early and Rev. M. C. Horine, D. D. 

On May 19, 1901 the church was dedicated. The fol¬ 
lowing pastors took part in these services throughout the 
day:—Rev. William Ashmead Schaeffer, D. D., Rev. M. C. 
Horine, D. D., Rev. E. S. Brownmiller, D. D., Rev. Z. H. 
Gable, Rev. G. B. Hancher, Ph. D., Rev. H. W. Warmkessel 
and Rev. B. G. Welder. The building committee consisted 
of the following:—Jacob F. Kessler, Jacob C. Kessler, John 
Kirchman, Henry K. Ruth, Daniel Keller, Geo. Schaeffer, 
Samuel Griffith, Fred Bezier, J. A. Schonour, Daniel G. 
Messner and Frank W. Matz.- 

On May 9, 1909 Rev. M. H. Stettler announced his 
resignation, which was accepted June 1. 

On August 7, 1909 Rev. H. A. Kunkel was elected pas¬ 
tor to succeed Rev. Stettler, and took charge of the con¬ 
gregation September 1, 1909. During Rev. Kunkel’s pas¬ 
torate a large reed organ with a water motor was installed. 
In October 1910 Rev. Kunkel tendered his resignation, 
which was accepted and he left the congregation Novem¬ 
ber 10, 1910. 

From that time on the pulpit was supplied by Rev. 
Chas. G. Heffner, of Mohnton, pastor of the Robeson Parish. 

In March, 1911, Rev. Heffner was unanimously elected 
pastor of this congregation but was not installed until a 
proper re-arrangement of parishes in the western part of 
the conference had been made; and the Mohnton Parish, 
consisting of St. John’s, Mohnton; Trinity, Gouglersville 
and the Allegheny Congregations had been formed. 

Rev. Heffner has served as pastor since March, 1911. 

On December 27, 1914 the mortgage resting on the 
church since its beginning was burned and the congrega¬ 
tion was then free of debt for the first time in its history. 

On December 30, 1916 at the regular annual congrega¬ 
tional meeting it was decided to remodel and fresco the 


163 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


church building and install a pipe organ. Thus the audi¬ 
torium-of the church was enlarged by moving the primary 
room from the rear part of the auditorium to the basement 
which was then properly equipped for this purpose. An 
Austin, electric pipe organ was installed at a cost of $6,500 
including the remodeling of the building. Dedicatory serv¬ 
ices were held on February 4, 1917 at which services ser¬ 
mons were preached by Rev. R. B. Lynch and Rev. A. M. 
Weber. 



ST. JOHN’S PARSONAGE 

The debt thus incurred was paid in full by the fall of 
1921. 

At a special congregational meeting held March 20, 
1922 it was unanimously decided to build a parsonage. 
Competitive bids were received and Samuel Snyder received 
the contract to build it for the sum of $10,500.00. The par¬ 
sonage was occupied by the pastor and his family on March 
19, 1923. 

Rev. Freeland Hemmig, recently ordained, is a son 
of this congregation. 


164 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



TRINITY CHURCH, GOUGLERSVILLE 

TRINITY, GOUGLERSVILLE 

/*fc/RINITY is an outgrowth of what was known as the 
il Wyomissing Union Church of Gouglersville. This 
Union Church sprang from a Sunday School founded 
in 1846 by John Gougler, a faithful Lutheran. Mr. Gougler 
was interested in the manner in which the young spent 
their time on Sunday, and desired to improve their ways 
by organizing a Sunday School. 

Four years after the organization of the Sunday 
School the community felt that a church should be built, 
and largely through the efforts of Mr. Gougler an organi¬ 
zation was effected. It was decided to build a union church, 
Lutheran and Reformed. 

John Gougler and William White, both Lutherans, were 
elected secretary and treasurer respectively. 

The land for the church and the burial ground was 
donated by Samuel Schlabach. The members of the build¬ 
ing committee were:—John Gougler, Lutheran; and Adam 
Grill and Cornelius Richwein, Reformed. The building was 


165 















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


of red sandstone and was erected at a cost of §1,000.00, ex¬ 
clusive of much labor, hauling and heavy timber, which 
was donated by the members. The original communicant 
membership was eleven souls. 

The name Wyomissing was selected because the church 
stands close to the head waters of Wyomissing Creek. 
The original building was removed in 1887 and a modern 
edifice erected at a cost of §8000.00, exclusive of much 
labor, hauling and timber. The building committee con¬ 
sisted of Joseph M. Schonour, Samuel M. Hornberger and 
John Moyer, Lutherans and Franklin Schnader and Rich¬ 
ard Hornberger, Reformed. 

In the year 1894 a chapel was erected across the street 
from the church by the two congregations for the better 
accommodation of the Sunday School. 

On November 5, 1908 at a joint meeting of the Church 
Councils the following resolution was adopted:—“Whereas 
the Lutheran and Reformed congregations of Wyomissing 
Church, Gouglersville, Pa., consider their union inadequate 
to promote their general welfare, and whereas each con¬ 
gregation feels that henceforth it can maintain itself; 
therefore be it resolved that a division of the church prop¬ 
erty be made in the following manner:—The said Reformed 
congregation shall receive the said union church with all 
its grounds and rights. The said Lutheran congregation 
shall receive said chapel and ground purchased for its 
erection, furthermore the Reformed congregation shall pay 
to the said Lutheran congregation the sum of Two Thou¬ 
sand Dollars.” These resolutions were adopted at a joint 
congregational meeting held December 5, 1908 with the 
following result:—95 votes for separation and 29 against. 

From this time on until the spring of 1917 the Luth¬ 
eran congregation held all its services in the Sunday School 
chapel. 

On January 6, 1917, at a congregational meeting the 
Lutheran congregation decided to tear down the chapel 
and build a new sandstone church on the same site. 

On February 3, 1917 application was made to the 
courts of Berks County through J. Henry Zweizig, Esq., 
to have the congregation incorporated as Trinity Lutheran 


166 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Church, Gouglersville, Pa. This charter was granted. 

Ground was broken for the new church building on 
March 19, 1917. The corner-stone was laid June 10, 1917. 
Rev. A. M. Weber and Rev. H. S. Kidd having assisted 
the pastor in these services. The church was dedicated 
on July 21, 1918. Because of the illness of Rev. R. B. 
Lynch, president of the Reading Conference, Rev. Chas. 
C. Boyer, Ph. D., preached the dedicatory sermon. Revs. 
F. K. Bernd, A. M. Weber, B. G. Welder, J. 0. Schlenker, 
J. V. George, D. D., and F. S. Longsdorf assisted the pas¬ 
tor in the services throughout that day and the following 
week. 

The church building is 45 x 70 feet, with a Sunday 
School annex 30 x 45 feet, which can be easily thrown 
open and increase the seating capacity of the church 
greatly. 

The church is built of Hummelstown sandstone with 
art glass windows, large pulpit recess and two anterooms 
and space for a pipe organ at a cost of $25,500, exclusive 
of much labor, hauling and heavy timber donated by mem¬ 
bers and friends of the congregation. 

Rev. J. V. George, D. D. has served the Reformed con¬ 
gregation since 1890. 

The first pastor of the Lutheran congregation was Rev. 
Reuben Wagner, who served until the year 1860. On April 
1, 1860 the congregation elected Rev. Benjamin D. Zweizig, 
who served the congregation until Rev. D. K. Humbert was 
elected Aug. 11, 1867, who served until the fall of 1872. Then 
the congregation was supplied by different pastors until 
August 17, 1873, when Rev. Z. H. Gable was elected, who 
served the congregation until December 15, 1909. The 
congregation was then again supplied by pastors of the 
Reading Conference until April 18, 1910 when the present 
pastor, Rev; Charles G. Heffner was elected. 


FAITH, MOUNT PENN 

• 

'HE reason for the organization of this Church was 
a flourishing Sunday School in what was then 
known as Woodvale, meeting in a schoolhouse at 
the intersection of 23rd Avenue and Friedensburg Road, 


€ 


167 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

conducted by Trinity Lutheran Sunday School, Reading* It 
was upon the recommendation of the Chapel Committee 
of Trinity, composed of A. W. Potteiger, E. Burkholder, H. 
M. M. Richards, E. W. Gilbert, A. N. Kissinger, during the 
pastorate of the late Rev. J. Fry, D. D., that the church 
was built. Upon the completion of the edifice there was 
a great demand for Church services by the people in the 
neighborhood. The Rev. J. Fry, D. D., pastor of Trinity 
Church, Reading, with the consent of the vestry, secured 
the services of the Rev. Lewis Bickel, of Pottstown as 
preacher in Faith, Peace and Hope Churches. He began 
his work on Sunday, November 15, 1885. Faith Church 
served as a preaching station under the care of Rev. 
Bickel from November 15, 1885 until the day of its or- 



FA1TH CHURCH, MT. PENN 

ganization, April 22, 1887. Rev. Bickel became the first 
pastor on the day of its organization. 

The corner-stone of Faith Church was laid on Whit¬ 
sunday, May 24, 1885, at 3:45 P. M. -The church was 
dedicated by Rev. Fry, D. D., on Sunday afternoon, Octo¬ 
ber 11, 1885. Rev. A. Richter of Rochester, N. Y., deliv¬ 
ered a German address and J. Fry, D. D., an English 
address, to a large congregation. 


168 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The approximate cost of Faith Church was $2100, be¬ 
sides the furniture. Faith Church was built and paid for 
by the members of Trinity Church and Sunday School. The 
method of raisng the money was rather unique. The 19th 
day of April, 1885, was set aside as Chapel Sunday by the 
mother Church, on which day every member and friend 
of Trinity Church was asked to be present at one of the 
three services, morning, afternoon or evening, and make 
liberal gifts toward the payment of Faith, Peace, and Hope 
Churches. While several members gave $500 each and 
several others $250 each and a large number $100 each, 
most of the contributions were in smaller amounts. On 
Chapel Sunday, the pastor preached on St. Matthew 17:4, 
“Let us here make three tabernacles’’. The card sub¬ 
scriptions for the three churches on that day amounted 
to $5500. A beautiful toned bell was placed in Faith church, 
presented by Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Boyer in 1886. 

Faith church was organized with 25 charter members 
and seven confirmations in 1887. During the 35 years of 
her history she has grown to a membership of 150. In 
her early history the growth of the borough was very slow 
and thus prevented a rapid growth of the congregation. 
Other reasons for the lack of development were the tran¬ 
sient population in the borough; unwillingness of the people 
residing in Faith district, belonging to city churches, to 
unite with a small congregation and the inability on the 
part of the pastors to devote all their services to the con¬ 
gregation. Faith church was blessed, however, under these 
trying circumstances by the constant support of the mother 
Church until the time Faith and Peace Churches became 
a parish on July 9, 1916 and were aided by the General 
Council Board of English Home Missions. The greatest 
blessing that came to Faith Church as well as to Peace 
Church was the declaration to become a self-sustaining 
parish at a congregational meeting held January 11, 1920. 
Since that day greatest progress has been made by the 
Church and the parish. Faith Church added 84 mem¬ 
bers during this period, doubled her membership, trebled 
her finances, and has had the highest communion record 
in the history of the Church. 


169 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Rev. Bickel resigned November 1, 1890. On January 
1, 1891, the Rev. H. W. Warmkessel, at the call of the 
Rev. J. Fry, D. D., pastor of Trinity Church, Reading, 
took charge of Faith Church, Woodvale, in addition to Peace 
and Hope of Reading. He served Faith and Peace Churches 
until June 1, 1898, when he resigned to take full charge 
of Hope Lutheran Church, Reading. 

On June 15, 1898, Rev. Luther D. Lazarus assumed 
charge of Faith. He resigned December 31, 1901 to accept 
a call to St. John’s Church, Nazareth, Pa. 

On April 1, 1902, Rev. J. Franklin Snyder took charge 
of Faith congregation which he served until May 1, 1918 
when he resigned to engage in mission work in Allen¬ 
town, Pa. It was during this period that the population 
was rather transient and thus many members were added 
and transferred. In this long pastorate many changes 
and improvements were made to the church building. In 
1904 a new platform and railing were erected, the church 
was painted, papered and electric lighting was installed at 
a total cost of $450. 

In 1907, $200 was spent for paving along the east 
side, water connections, and a new supply of Church Books 
and painting. In 1912 basement improvements were made, 
costing $110. In 1914-15 the church was completely reno¬ 
vated, including new carpet, folding doors, apse extension, 
new.electric lighting system, painting, varnishing, etc., all 
of which cost $1020. It was also during his pastorate that 
Faith Church became incorporated. This took place on 
October 2, 1916. The 25th anniversary of the organization 
of the Faith congregation was appropriately celebrated on 
April 22, 1922. The following ministers took part in the 
celebration: Revs. J. C. Seegers, D. D., W. H. Myers, Dr. 
C. C. Boyer, J. Franklin Snyder, Dr. Kuendig, and J. W. 
Early. 

On June 9, 1918, Rev. Edgar Crouthamel assumed 
charge of Faith congregation, Mt. Penn, under joint call 
from Faith Church and Peace Church, Reading, and the 
General Council Board of English Home Missions. He 
resigned to accept a call from Advent Lutheran Church, 
Newark, N. J., November 30, 1919. During this brief pas- 


170 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


torate a new Estey organ costing $600 was dedicated on 
Sunday afternoon, November 17, 1918. Pastor Crouthamel 
succeeded in collecting $300 to be applied to a parsonage 
fund of the Church. 

The present pastor, Rev. Raymond J. Heckman, was 
called on the 21st day of March, 1920, and was installed 
by the Rev. G. D. Druckenmiller, in the evening of June 
14, 1920. In this pastorate, the interior of the church 
was completely renovated, including the repainting of walls, 
woodwork, costing $425. The Common Service Book was 
introduced. A piano was bought by the Sunday School, 
costing $190. During the summer of 1920 a house and lot ad- 



FAITH PARSONAGE 


joining the church were bought by the congregation costing 
$1650. In 1921 a new parsonage was built on the adjoining lot 
by the members of Faith Church. The 35th anniversary of 
the organization of the congregation was celebrated in June, 
1922. The following ministers were present: Revs. C. P. 
Wiles, D. D., C. E. Kistler, J. L. Deaton, E. P. Pfatteicher, 
D. D., Ph. D., Prof. C. C. Boyer, Ph. D., C. C. Snyder, E. C. 
Crouthamel, R. B. Lynch and Raymond J. Heckman, pastor. 
The apportionment of $404 was raised 100 percent during 
this last year and special benevolence of $92, a total of 
$496. 


171 











LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


"v. 


Faith Church receives the benefit of a trust fund of 
$5000 for 20 years established by the late Mrs. Sarah 
Eisenbrown, a former member of Trinity Church, inter¬ 
ested in Faith and Peace Churches. Faith Church is unique 
in that most of the members until 1920 were related to one 
another. It has often been called “the family church”. The 
congregation is well organized and according to the present 
indications an enlarged house of worship is needed in the 
near future. 


PEACE, RIVERSIDE, READING 


/mmmtHE history of Peace Church is in many respects simi- 
il lar to the history of Faith Church. The building in 
which she worships was built like Faith Church, the 
pastors were the same and the support received from the 
mother Church was the same. 

The reason for the erection of Peace church was due 
to a flourishing Sunday School, meeting in a public school- 
house in Riverside, conducted by Trinity Lutheran Church, 
Reading. Upon the completion of the church many re¬ 
quests were made for preaching. To comply with these, the 
Rev. J. Fry, pastor of the mother Church, with the con¬ 
sent of the vestry, procured the services of Rev. Lewis 
Bickel, of Pottstown, Pa., as pastor of Faith, Peace and 
Hope Churches. He began his services on Sunday, Novem¬ 
ber 15, 1885. He continued to labor here until November 
1, 1890, when he resigned to take charge of St. Stephen’s 
Church, Wilmington, Delaware. Peace Church served as 
a preaching station until the date of its permanent or¬ 
ganization, December 15, 1890. 

The corner-stone of Peace Church was laid on Sun¬ 
day, May 17, 1885, at 4 P. M. The church was dedicated 
by Rev. J. Fry, D. D., in the afternoon of September 27, 
1885, when the sermon was preached by Rev. F. J. F. 
Schantz, a former pastor of Trinity Church. 

The approximate cost of Peace Church was $2100, 
besides the furniture. It was built and paid for by Trin¬ 
ity Church and Sunday School. The method of raising 
the money was rather unique. Sunday, April 19, 1885, was 
set aside as Chapel Sunday by Trinity Church, on which 


172 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

day every member, and friend, of Trinity Church was asked 
to be present at one of the three services, morning, after¬ 
noon and evening, and make a liberal contribution. 

A* bell was place on each church presented by Mr. and 
Mrs. Jerome Boyer in 1886. 

Peace Church was organized with about 25 charter 
members. Because of special trials in its early history 
there was no permanent organization until December 15, 



PEACE CHURCH, RIVERSIDE 

1890, when a meeting was called by those attending Peace 
Church, “for the purpose of forming a regularly-organized 
congregation”. The Rev. J. Fry, D. D., pastor of the mother 
Church, was made chairman and Mr. Henry K. Wanner was 
chosen as secretary. Dr. Fry stated that the object of the 
meeting was to effect a regular organization of Peace Evan¬ 
gelical congregation. He presented provisional rules and 
regulations for the congregation, which were unanimously 
adopted. In the early history of the congregation there 


173 











LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


were many trials because of the transient population and 
lack of leaders. The members were few but faithful and suc¬ 
ceeded in developing and enlarging the congregation. Peace 
Church was blessed, however, during this trying period by 
the constant financial and spiritual support of the mother 
Church until the time Faith and Peace Churches became 
a parish and were aided by the General Council Board of 
English Home Missions, July 9, 1916. The greatest blessing 
that came to Peace Church, as well as to Faith Church, was 
the declaration to become a self-sustaining parish at a con¬ 
gregational meeting held in January, 1920. Since that day 
greatest progress has been made by the Church and the 
parish. 

Rev. Bickel, the first pastor, resigned November 15, 
1885. On January 1, 1891, the Rev. H. W. Warmkessel, at 
the call of Rev. J. Fry, D. D., pastor of Trinity Church, 
Reading, took charge of Peace Church together with Hope, 
Reading, and Faith, Mt. Penn. He served Peace and Faith 
Churches unil June 1, 1898, when he resigned to take full 
charge of Hope Church, Reading. It was during his pas¬ 
torate that we have the first communion record. At the 
first communion held, April 5, 1891, fourteen members re¬ 
ceived the holy sacrament. 

On June 15, 1898, Rev. Luther D. Lazarus assumed 
charge of Peace congregation and served it faithfully until 
December 31, 1901. On April 1, 1902, Rev. J. Frank¬ 
lin Snyder took charge and served it until May 1, 
1918, when he resigned to engage in mission work 
in Allentown,' Pa. This was the longest partorate in the 
history of the church. Many changes and improvements 
were made during these years. In 1915, *16 and ’17, 
$1179.78 was spent on basement equipment, painting, paper¬ 
ing and other improvements necessary to the building. Pas¬ 
tor Snyder was very successful in collecting funds for these 
various undertakings. It was also during his pastorate that 
the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Peace received a cer¬ 
tificate of Incorporation. This certificate was granted by 
the court of Common Pleas October 2, 1916. 

On June 9, 1918, the Rev. Edgar Crouthamel took 
charge of Peace congregation, under joint call from Faith 


174 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


congregation, Mt. Penn, and the General Council Board of 
English Home Missions in North America. He resigned 
to accept a call from Advent Lutheran Church, Newark, 
N. J., November 30, 1919. In his pastorate a new Estey 
two manual reed organ costing $600 was dedicated. This 
service took place on Sunday afternoon, November 17, 1918. 
Mr. Henry F. Seibert, organist of Trinity Lutheran Church, 
was the special organist for the occasion. The offering at 
this service added to the previously collected subscriptions 
totaled $350. 

The present pastor, Rev. Raymond J. Heckman, was 
called on the 28th day of March, 1920, and was installed 
by the president of the Reading Conference, the Rev. G. D. 
Druckenmiller, on Sunday morning, June 14, 1920. During 
his pastorate improvements to the church building, includ¬ 
ing complete basement excavation and equipment, installa¬ 
tion of folding doors between church auditorium and pri¬ 
mary room, painting of the church, etc., have been made 
at a cost of $2000. The congregation with all its societies 
is .well organized and a great spirit of love, loyalty, and 
hearty cooperation is found in the hearts of the members. 
Peace congregation has fully raised its apportioned bene¬ 
volence this year. The amount, $374, is more than treble 
compared with the amount raised in 1920. 

Peace church as well as Faith Church receives the bene¬ 
fit of a part of a trust fund of $5000 for 20 years, estab¬ 
lished by the late Mrs. Sarah Eisenbrown, a former mem¬ 
ber of Trinity Church, interested in Faith and Peace 
churches. Both Faith and Peace congregations owe a debt 
of gratitude to the mother Church for financial and spirit¬ 
ual support. 

GRACE, ELEVENTH STREET, BELOW PENN, 

READING 

^■^HIS Church celebrated its Quarto-Centennial con- 
/T| jointly with the 25 years’ pastorate of Rev. William 
H. Myers, the founder, on October 25-27, 1903. A 
complete history of the origin and work of the congrega¬ 
tion appeared in book form, and was placed on sale during 
this event—and from this book we glean the following data. 


175 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Mother Trinity organized a mission school in the public 
schoolhouse at 9th and Spruce Streets on July 5, 1868, which 
was the nucleus of a congregation 10 years later, styled 
“Grace”—the second child of old Trinity. A fine chapel 



GRACE CHURCH AND PARISH HOUSE 

was provided for this mission school on 11th street below 
Penn, into which it moved in the fall of 1878, and there 
Rev. Myers, who had previously been called as assistant to 
Dr. Fry, March 17, 1878, organized the congregation on the 


176 


















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


night of October 7, 1878, with 54 members enrolled. The 
constitution was adopted October 29, 1878, and at an eve¬ 
ning service on Reformation day, October 31, 1878, the 
pastor and officers were installed, Rev. J. Fry, D. D. offi¬ 
ciating.. 

On April 4, 1883, the Grace Lutheran Church Council, 
with the consent of Trinity vestry, declared the congrega¬ 
tion free and independent, and by mutual help the ground 
debt of $5000 was annually reduced, and paid off in full, 
when on October 6, 1888 the church was also formally in¬ 
corporated. 



CHIMNEY CORNER IN PARISH HOUSE 


In 10 years the congregation had outgrown the capa¬ 
city of the chapel; overflowing audiences compelled a larger 
edifice, so this gem of a chapel had to give place to the 
present ampitheater church 80 x 100 feet, seating 1500 
people. Its “crowded” capacity is 1800. The corner-stone 
was laid October 7, 1888, the Sunday School rooms were 
dedicated for service April 14, 1889, and March 17, 1890, 
the main auditorium was occupied. For 10 months Grace 
had its wanderings; worshiped awhile in the prison corri- 


177 













LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

dors, then in the Court House where crowds were turned 
away; and then for 11 months and 2 weeks tarried in the 
Sunday School rooms; when at last the red-letter day came 
on Passion Sunday and Rev. G F. Krotel, D. D., LL. D,, 
preached the dedicatory sermon in the upper room, from 
the text, Eph. 2:8, 9. 

Large things were always done by Grace. The period 
of 1890-1903 was no exception. 

During the pastor’s absence in Europe, 1891, a three 
manual pneumatic organ was installed. In 1899 a parish 
house uniquely furnished was added. A lot back of the 
church was bought. The congregation was a growing hive 
of active workers. A debt of $27,000 had to be taken care 
of, which in 1899 resolved itself into $18000 in interest bear¬ 
ing bonds. All obligations were canceled in 1920. So with 
an annual interest of $1,458, a gradual reduction of the 
large debt; and the carrying of current expenses, it can 
easily be understood that in 25 years actual cash of $175,000 
was raised by a people who at first labored with small 
numbers. 

To do all this, many original devices and activities in 
money raising were employed, and happy memories linger 
with the scenes. It was labor of love to Christ’s cause. 

The 25 year retrospect at 1903 was a landmark both 
for the congregation, and pastor. The dream of the large 
16th century Gothic edifice did not disappoint in its uses, 
for great audiences came here to worship. The pastor re¬ 
hearsed at this time that 2,334 persons had been confirmed 
and received by transfer. With the constant shifting of 
membership, by marriage, removal, backsliding, death or 
the forming of suburban missions, it was but normal to 
report a congregation of 1400. It was a large community 
event to celebrate the joint quarto-centennial of Grace 
Church and its pastor. The press heralded it by headlines 
and illustrations. The citizens who attended the various 
services came from all parts of the city and from all walks 
of life. The Rev. Dr. Krotel was again the prinicpal speaker. 
He preached on the text, I. Cor. 15:10. 

And now remains to be added to the above another 
20 years’ chapter in Grace’s history for but 5 years more 
and the Golden Jubilee will be celebrated. The same pastor 


178 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


who preached then preaches now. It is said that he is the 
only one in Reading who can be styled “the father of his 
own flock/’ Twenty years more of Church activity might 
add up a big sum but it hardly excels in brilliancy and joy 
of accomplishment, the era that went before. The builders 
laid good foundations and most of the veteran societies are 
today vieing with the new bodies in making real history. 
Great is the work done by the Luther Guild, Pastor’s Aid, 
Luther Leagues, Orphans’ Home Society, Sunday School 
(first and last), Brotherhood, Woman’s Industrial, Boy and 
Girl Scouts. 



HOLY SPIRIT, READING 

^3*PRIL 19, 1910 is the date when the first formal effort 
was made to launch this work. On the aforesaid day 
a number of Lutherans from the community center¬ 
ing at Fourth and Windsor Streets responded to an invita¬ 
tion of the sainted Dr. Horn, pastor of Holy Trinity, to 
form a Sunday School Association. The project found 
great favor with those present. An organization was ef¬ 
fected and the following elected to office:—President, the 


179 












LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Rev. Dr. Edward T. Horn; Superintendent of Main Depart¬ 
ment, Frederick A. Marx; Superintendent of Primary De¬ 
partment, Miss Araminta Richards; Secretary, Robert L. 
Strohecker; Treasurer, Charles S. Eisenbrown; Librarian, 
Frank Yocum. A constitution for the Sunday School was 
adopted and the name of the Church decided upon. 

Things were happening in rather close succession for 
Holy Spirit in the spring of 1910. The chapel built by Holy 
Trinity was dedicated on Sunday, May 1st, under the aus¬ 
pices of the mother Church. Services were conducted both 
afternoon and evening. On May 8th, the Sunday School 
held its first session and although the weather was not 
very favorable, 103 were present. 

The first annual meeting of the Sunday School Asso¬ 
ciation was held on June 2, 1911. At this time the com¬ 
mittee on Church formation reported that the signature of 
75 people had been obtained without making a regular can¬ 
vass of the neighborhood. This was followed with a talk 
by Dr. Horn on the reasons for forming a new congregation, 
which was well received. 

On March 14th, the Rev. Carolus P. Harry was elected 
as the first pastor. The congregation itself was not organ¬ 
ized until September 30, 1911, when 120 men and women 
united their efforts in laying the foundations of this im¬ 
portant work. On the same day a constitution was adopted 
and the following Church Council elected:—Charles S. 
Eisenbrown, Henry E. Hilbert, Sylvester G. Frederick, John 
W. • Gilbert, Irvin Rader, Morris Hartman, Frederick A. 
Marx, Elmore A. Burkhart, and Walter H. Jones. 

During the month of August, 1914, the present beauti¬ 
ful and commodious parsonage was occupied for the first 
time. 

Pastor Harry having resigned, the Rev. Charles C. 
Snyder was elected his successor on October 15, 1917. He 
took charge on the 21st of the same month and was installed 
to office by the president of the Ministerium of Pennsyl¬ 
vania on December 16, 1917. 

Somewhat prior to the beginning of Pastor Snyder’s 
ministry the title of the Church property was conveyed to 
the congregation by the authorities of Holy Trinity. A 


180 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

debt of S3,700 that rested on the chapel was cancelled in 
a little more than two years. It was also during this time 
that the chancel was erected and the galleries added. 



HOLY SPIRIT PARSONAGE 


Pastor Snyder severed his connection with the congre¬ 
gation during the beginning of 1921. His successor, the 
Rev. Charles G. Beck formerly from North Wales, Pa., took 
charge on April 10th—Shepherd Sunday—the Second Sun¬ 
day after Easter. 

At the annual congregational meeting held on Monday, 
December 5, 1921, preliminary plans for a new church were 
presented and resolutions looking to the erection of the 
same adopted. In doing this, the congregation was greatly 
encouraged by a gift of $3,500 from Miss Mary Kauffman 
given during the summer of 1921. Previous to this $2,000 
had come from the same kind source. The following per¬ 
manent building committee was appointed by the Church 
Council:— Frederick A. Marx (chairman), Theodore C. 


181 














LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Abele, Jere L. Rice, Charles S. Eisenbrown, Sylvester G. 
Frederick (president of the Church Council), and Charles 
G. Beck (pastor). 

The corner-stone was laid by the pastor on Sunday, 
July 23, 1922 in the presence of a large concourse of people. 
The addresses were delivered by the Rev. Dr. E. P. Pfat- 
teicher, pastor of Trinity, and the Rev. R. B. Lynch, presi¬ 
dent of the Reading Conference. The new church is of 
the Italian Renaissance type of architecture. It seats 600 
and cost about $112,000. The entire building is one of 
great beauty. The dedication took place on May 13 (Sun¬ 
day after the Ascension), 1923. Special services were held 
every evening during the week following excepting Saturday 
and concluded with Confirmation on the morning of Pente¬ 
cost and the Lord’s Supper in the evening. Those who filled 
the pulpit were the Revs. Dr H. A. Weller, Dr. C. M. Jacobs, 
Dr. J. A. W. Haas, Dr. E. P. Pfatteicher, R. B. Lynch, C. P. 
Harry, W. A. Fluck, C. C. Snyder, G. D. Druckenmiller, and 
C. G. Beck. Most of the pastors of the Reading Conference 
were in attendance. 

HOPE, FRONT AND GREENWICH STREETS, READING 

OPE Lutheran Church is a product of the missionary 
activity of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading, Pa. 
During the Easter season of 1885 a circular was 
issued by the Chapel Committee of Trinity Church. The 
committee was composed of J. Fry, D. D., pastor, A. W. 
Potteiger, E. Burkholder, H. M. M. Richards, E. W. Gilbert, 
A. N. Kissinger. In this circular it was stated that the 
Sunday School Association owned three plots of ground in 
different parts of the city. On these it proposed to erect 
three chapels, the average cost of each to be about $2,000. 

April 19 was set aside as Chapel Sunday for the pur¬ 
pose of raising the necessary funds. Dr. Fry, pastor of 
Trinity, preached a special sermon on Matthew 17:4. The 
subscriptions of the day amounted to $5500. The contrac¬ 
tor L, H. Focht, immediately began work. The corner-stone 
of Hope Chapel on Schuylkill avenue near Greenwich was 
laid on Trinity Sunday, May 31, 1885. It was dedicated on 
September 20 of the same year by the pastor, Dr. Fry, with 


182 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

the sermon preached by Rev. M. C. Horine, D. D. The 
building was 40 by 42 feet, brick laid in black mortar as 
high as the window sills, above that bevelled siding, and 
from the window heads to the apex of the roof cedar 
shingles. There was a main room, a primary room, a library 
and vestibule. The actual cost was $2100 besides furniture. 



HOPE CHURCH 


By 1896 the growth of the congregation had been such 
that it was necessary to enlarge the building. Accordingly 
during this year 20 feet were added to the length of the 
building. It was reopened and rededicated on July 12th 
with the same pasters officiating as at the first dedica¬ 
tion. The congregation now also secured a charter and 
elected its own pastor. Her pastors up to the present time 
had served as assistants to Dr. Fry even though all their 


183 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


time and attention had been given to the chapels. The first 
assistant was Rev. J. L. Bickel who was pastor from 1885 
to 1890. At this time he was succeeded by Rev. H. W. 
Warmkessel who continues as pastor at the present time. 

During the summer of 1901 an organ was built for 
this chapel by Mr. Palm of Mt. Penn. It was dedicated on 
October 13, the pastor being assisted by Dr. M. C. Horine, 
President of Conference, Rev. J. W. Early, and Daniel Kauf¬ 
man, a student of the Mt. Airy Seminary. 

In the spring of 1904, the congregation again having 
outgrown its quarters, determined to change its location. 
A lot was secured at the corner of Front and Greenwich 
streets. Ground was broken for a new church in the latter 
part of May, 1904, and on July 3, the corner-stone was laid 
by the pastor. Addresses were delivered by Dr. M. C. Hor¬ 
ine, Dr. Kuendig, Rev. F. K. Huntzinger, Rev. C. E. Kistler, 
and Rev. J. F. Snyder. On November 24, 1904 the basement 
was dedicated and on February 24, 1905 the church audi¬ 
torium was consecrated. The latter services continued 
throughout the week and were participated in by the fol¬ 
lowing ministers in addition to the pastor: Drs. Horn, Hor¬ 
ine, Spieker, Fry, Kuendig, Hancher, Schmauk, Revs. Weber, 
Myers, Huntzinger, Kline, Yehl, Keever, Bickel, Hon. G. 
A. Endlich, Geo. M. Jones and E. S. Wertz. 

The building is of Gothic architecture, built of hillside 
stone and trimmed with Indiana limestone. It has a seat¬ 
ing capacity of 800 and cost $35,000. 

ST. JOSEPH'S, PIKE TOWNSHIP 

/*i*HE exact date of the beginning of St. Joseph’s or Hill 
Church is not known. Apparently it is one of the 
oldest Churches in the county and state. In the 
Hall. Nach. Volume 1, page 415 this statement is found: 
“Oley, where a beginning was made in 1704." Since Hill 
Church was originally known as “The Church among the 
Oley Hills” it is generally agreed that this is what is referred 
to in this report. It is known that there were a number 
of Lutheran settlers in this section between 1700 and 1710. 
There are a few families in this vicinity who to-day 
retain the land grants issued to their forefathers by Will- 


184 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


iam Penn in 1682. It is quite probable that these people 
had religious services at this early date even if no congrega¬ 
tion was organized. 



ST. .JOSEPH’S CHURCH 

It is supposed that the first Lutheran pastor to visit 
these people was Daniel Falckner who came to America in 
1700. It is also supposed that Gerhard Henkel who preached 
at Germantown, New Hanover, Manatawny and other places 


185 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


also ministered to these people among the Oley Hills occa¬ 
sionally. The private records of John Caspar Stoever, show¬ 
ing a score or more of baptisms and other pastoral acts 
performed in this vicinity, make it clear that he visited 
these people at stated intervals. He was followed by Henry 
Melchior Muhlenberg who came to this section of the county 
quite frequently. 

The records of the congregation show that on August 
12, 1741 the Lutherans among the Oley Hills took up 50 
acres of land for church and school purposes. In 1747 the 
first church, a log structure, was erected. A schoolhouse was 
also built. The Lutherans were aided in this work by other 
settlers living in the vicinity, the German Reformed being 
especially mentioned. As an evidence of their appreciation 
they extended to the Reformed the privilege of burying in 
their cemetery, of sending their children to school under 
the same terms as their own, and also of holding services 
in their church provided they were conducted by a regular 
pastor and not an impostor or a tramp. 

A rather interesting transaction at this early period 
was the adoption of a resolution providing two keys for 
the church chest—apparently that part of the altar in 
which the sacred vessels were kept. One of these keys was 
for the elders and the other for the deacons. The elders at 
this time were Jacob Miller, Michael Haertlein, Conrad 
Boehm, Tobias Schall, John Gerber, Frederic Mayer, Tobias 
Mauch, and John Reitnauer. The deacons were John Ger¬ 
ber and George Shalter. 

After 38 years had elapsed, in 1785, the congregation 
found it necessary to take steps toward rebuilding. Their 
church had become dilapidated and entirely too small. They 
now sold one-half of their property to the Reformed. They 
expressed their reasons for this action in these words: 
“Because they needed the help of the Reformed, and be¬ 
cause they regarded it as their duty as a matter of Chris¬ 
tian love, and also for the better promotion of the King¬ 
dom of Christ.” They now designated themselves as a 
union Church—an Evangelical Lutheran and a German 
Reformed congregation, called the Hill Church. 

In 1786 the old log church was torn down and a larger 


186 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

structure of stone erected. The building committee was 
composed of John Hoch, Lutheran and Conrad Meyer. Re¬ 
formed. The architect and builder was Jacob Gerber. No 
date of dedication or corner-stone laying is recorded. The 
old log schoolhouse was torn down in 1796 and a stone 
building erected in its place. This building remained in 



SOLDIER’S MONUMENT 

use as a school until 1850 when the school directors of the 
township built a public schoolhouse. It is still continued in 
use as a residence for the janitor of the church. 

In May, 1804 an eight-stop pipe organ built and in¬ 
stalled by Mr. Dieffenbach was dedicated. 


187 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


By 1852 the second church building, after serving its 
purpose for 66 years, became inadequate to meet the needs 
of the congregation. Accordingly it was decided to de¬ 
molish the old builing and erect a new one also of stone. 
A contract was made with Frank S. Ebling of Muhlenberg 
township for the erection of a new church, 50 by 60 feet, 
for the sum of $3950. This did not cover the entire cost of 
the building for the old structure was torn down by the 
members of the congregation and much of the material was 
used in rebuilding. The corner-stone was laid on Whitsun¬ 
day, May 15, 1853. This building continues in use to the 
present time. In 1886 it was remodeled and a steeple and 
bell added. 

After the World War the congregation erected a gran¬ 
ite monument in memory of the soldiers who were in serv¬ 
ice and also planted 200 maple trees as a Memorial Grove. 

The pastors who served the congregation are as fol¬ 
lows: Supply pastors: John Caspar Stoever, 1731-1734; 
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, 1742; Lucas Rauss, 1752-1758; 
William Kurtz, 1757-1758. Regulars: J. H. Schaum, 1759- 
1762; J. M. Schmidt; Daniel Lehman, 1780-1782; Christian 
Streit, 1782-1785; J. F. Weiland, 1785-1789; J. C. Dill, 1791- 
1797; F. W. Geissenhainer, 1797-1798; Jacob Miller, 1808- 
1821; Conrad Miller, 1821-1852; Nathon Iaeger, 1852-1857; 
H. Wendt, 1858-1861; E. Hi Snell, 1861-1862; A. D. Croll, 
1883-1868; S. R. Boyer, 1869-1873; D. K. Humbert, 1874- 
1890; H. W. Warmkessel, 1891—. 

The first Reformed pastor was Michael Schlatter in 
1746. The present pastor is C. E. Bartholomew. 


188 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


ST. PAUL’S, PIKE TOWNSHIP 

^^fc^HIS church, located in Lobachsville in the northwest- 
ill ern corner of Pike township, has always been a union 
church. The articles of agreement provide for a 
joint election of an equal number of trustees, elders and 
deacons from each congregation. 

On April 9, 1833, Samuel Lobach and wife, Esther, 
deeded 58 perches of land to Daniel Hilbert, Jonathan Grim, 
John Mast, John Heath, Henry Adams, Joseph Specht, Peter 
Linn, and Jacob Meyer, in trust for St. Paul’s Church, not 



ST. PAUI/S CHURCH 

yet organized. A meeting of residents of the neighbor¬ 
hood, Lutherans and Reformed, had been held on March 26 
at the house of Samuel Lobach, and it was decided to build 
a union church. On May 21, they held another meeting 
and elected Jacob Bieber, William J. Kaul, and Samuel Lo¬ 
bach a building committee. They also effected a formal 
organization and elected Joseph Specht, Jonathan Grim, 
Henry Adam, and Daniel Hilbert as trustees; John Mast, 
Peter Linn, and John Heath as elders; Jacob Gilbert, Jacob 
Sterner, John Braun, Philip Herzog as deacons. 


189 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


From this time on services were held regularly by Rev. 
I. Roeller, Lutheran, and Rev. L. Herman, Reformed min¬ 
ister. Work on the church building was not begun, how¬ 
ever, until in April, 1834. The corner-stone was laid on 
May 3rd and the building was dedicated on October 11, 12 
1834. This was a stone structure and erected at a cost of 
$1200 in money. Practically all materials were donated. 

In 1843 the entire church property including the ceme¬ 
tery was enclosed with a stone fence built at a cost of $100. 

In 1849 through the agency of David Lobach an organ 
was purchased. It was an organ that had been presented 
to the Reformed congregation at New Hanover by John 
Henry Sprogel, almost one hundred years previous. This 
organ was dedicated on June 9 and 10 with Rev. D. Kohler, 
Lutheran, and Revs. J. S. Herman and P. P. Hoffman, Re¬ 
formed, officiating. 

As the old church no longer served its purpose, arrange¬ 
ments were made to erect a new one in 1877. This was 
not erected on the same site as the old church but upon 
additional ground which had been given by David Lobach. 
The corner-stone was laid on July 29. The building com¬ 
mittee was composed of David Lobach, Benjamin Yerger 
and Wiliam Gebel. The dedication took place on May 18 
and 19, 1878. Sermons were preached on the 18th by Rev. 
Moyer and Rev. F. K. Huntzinger and on the 19th by Rev. 
G. F. Spieker, D. D. and Rev. L. Groh, D. D. This was also 
a stone structure with steeple and bell. This building is 
in use at the present time. 

Apparently there was no regular Lutheran pastor dur¬ 
ing the first three years after the organization of this con¬ 
gregation. Rev. I. Roeller acted as supply pastor during 
this period. In 1836 Rev. Conrad Miller began serving as 
a regular pastor. He was also pastor of Hill Church. He 
continued until 1839 when he was succeeded byRev. John 
Grim. Other pastors served as follows: Joel Grim, 1851- 
1852; George F. Miller, 1852-1853; G. A. Hinterleiter, D. D., 
1853-1859; E. H. M. Sell, 1860-1862; A. D. Croll, 1862-1868; 
S. R. Boyer, 1868-1872; D. K. Humbert, 1872-1890; H. W. 
Warmkessel, 1890 to—. The first Reformed pastor was 
Lewis Herman who served from 1833 to 1860. At the 


190 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


present time there is no Reformed pastor and for several 
years no Reformed services have been held. 

The first recorded communion service in 1833 was 
attended by 35 while by 1887 the growth had been such 
that 185 communed at a single service. 


ST. JAMES’, FIFTH AND CHESTNUT STREETS, 

READING 


tr 


'HE establishment of St. James’ Lutheran Church, in 
the city of Reading, Pa., was effected November, 
1850, when a congregational meeting was called for 
the purpose of organization. 


The founder of the Church, Rev. F. A. M. Keller, was 
pastor from 1850 to the time of his death in 1864. His 
connection with Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading, as 
English pastor terminated in October, 1850. 

After the organization of St. James’ congregation, the 
Odd Fellows’ Hall, Fifth and Franklin streets, was used as 
a place of worship until the present building was erected. 
A lot at the northeast corner of Fifth and Chestnut was 
purchased about this time and the deed executed May, 1851. 

The work of building was pushed with great energy 
for a minute of the Sunday School Association informs us 
that the chapel was occupied by the school July 13, 1851, 
and the first service of the Church was held there the 
following Sunday, July 20. Thus within eight months this 
young congregation consecrated and entered upon the use 
of its chapel and within sixteen months the large and ele¬ 
gant church building was completed and occupied. The 
corner-stone of the church building was laid May 11, 1851. 
The building committee consisted of A. C. Hoff, Horatio 
Trexler, Rev. F. A. M. Keller; John Hoff, W. S. Fisher, 
Michael Fritz and F. B. Fichthorn. 

“Not deeming,” says Rev. Keller, “the Odd Fellows’ 
Hall (where services were held from October, 1850, to July 
1851) a suitable place for the administration of the Lord’s 
Supper, the Church Council asked the Presbyterian Session 
for the use of their church on Good Friday evening for con¬ 
firmation and on Sunday afternoon for the administration 
of the Holy Supper of our Lord which request was cheer¬ 
fully granted. The first communion in the church building 


191 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


was administered April 11, 1852, the edifice having been 
consecrated March 21, 1852, the Fourth Sunday in Lent.” 

After the death of Rev. Keller the Church was with¬ 
out a minister for seven months. A call was extended to 
Rev. F. C. H. Lampe and he accepted the same and began 
his work as the second pastor October 1, 1864. A special 
work was to be done in St. James’ and each successive pas¬ 
tor seemed fitted for a definite and special task. The con¬ 
gregation was burdened with a heavy debt and the new 
pastor undertook to raise the money to pay this indebted- 



ST. JAMB’S CHURCH 

ness. This effort was encouraged by Horatio Trexler con¬ 
tributing $13,000 toward the payment of the debt. Many 
improvements were made to the church property at this 
time. The first organ (then the largest in the city) was 
purchased and the painting of the Transfiguration was pre¬ 
sented by Horatio Trexler. 

The Rev. Mr. Lampe conducted services in German 
and English. He was pastor of St. James’ congregation 
from 1864 to 1867. As the Rev. Mr. Lampe had given 
timely notice of his intention to vacate the pastorate, the 


192 











LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Vestry was prepared to elect his successor and Rev. B. M. 
Schmucker, D. D., was chosen by a unanimous vote in Sep¬ 
tember, 1867. He entered upon his labors about the first 
of October, 1867. Many members were added to the church 
during Dr. Schmucker’s ministry. It was while he was 
pastor of St. James’ Church that the Church Book was 
prepared, of which he was the prinicpal editor. To this 
work he gave much of his time and study. As pastor of 
St. James’ Church which supported him through the years 
devoted to the preparation of the Church Book, this con¬ 
gregation made the largest indirect contribution to this 
great work. His interest in Foreign Missions was impressed 
on the members of St. James’ congregation both in the 
Church and Sunday School and regular contributions were 
made by the latter body for years before the organization 
of missionary societies. His second resignation, tendered 
to the Church Council March 1, 1881, was accepted and he 
removed to the Church of the Transfiguration, Pottstown. 

At the suggestion of Dr. Schmucker, the Vestry ex¬ 
tended a call to the Rev. M. C. Horine, D. D., of Danville, 
Pa. Having accepted the call he began his work September, 
1891, and continued until 1908. His service was the long¬ 
est of any pastor that served St. James’ congregation. One 
of the first acts of his pastorate was the introduction of 
monthly envelopes for the gathering of offerings for the 
benevolent work of the Synod. In 1883 extensive repairs 
were made to the church building and in 1885 the property, 
148 South Fifth street, was bought for a parsonage through 
a generous gift of Ephriam Armstrong. The first step 
was taken this year also, regularly to collect alms money. 
Boxes were placed at the doors to receive the free will 
offerings of the members, for the poor and at the same 
time a committee of seven ladies was appointed to do Inner 
Mission Work. In the years 1887 and 1888 a parish paper 
was published which was distributed gratuitously. It 
served a useful purpose, but no fund being provided for its 
publication, the paper was discontinued. 

For several years, owing to the growth of the Sunday 
School, the question of enlarging the school room was 
talked of in a general way. January 14, 1891, it was re- 


193 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

solved to purchase the house adjoining the chapel on Chest¬ 
nut street, in order to secure more ground. At a congre¬ 
gational meeting held April 18, 1892, a resolution to build 
a new chapel was adopted and a committee of nine was 
appointed to begin the work. The new building cost about 
$18,000. The chapel was dedicated September 9, 1893, by 
the Rev. A. Spaeth, D. D., president of the Ministerium of 
Pennsylvania. 

During Dr. Horine’s time a mission was begun in Oak- 
brook which resulted in the formation of the Church of the 
Redeemer. St. James’ people were also active in St. Paul’s 
Mission conducted in St. John’s Chapel, Cotton street. This 
is now St. Paul’s Lutheran Church located at Sixteenth 
street and Perkiomen avenue. During Dr. Horine’s minis¬ 
try St. James’ received a number of bequests that are of 
great service to the Church and have helped in a very ma¬ 
terial way. Besides the endowment, the memorial win¬ 
dows in the chapel and the reredos in the Sunday School 
room were gifts from friends who loved St. James’ Church. 
The brass lectern was given on the fiftieth anniversary. 

The seasonal altar covers, the altar cross and vases 
were procured through the generosity of members. The 
font was also a memorial gift. The other altar furnishings 
and the altar were presented during the pastorate of Dr. 
M. L. Zweizig. 

The fifth pastor of St. James’ congregation was the 
Rev. M. L. Zweizig, D. D. He took charge February, 1909, 
and was installed April 25th. During his ministry the 
cement paving around the church and parsonage was laid, 
trees were planted, thus adding much to the appearance of 
the property. The duplex envelopes were adopted during 
Dr. Zweizig’s first year. The constitution was amended 
to allow all qualified members over twenty-one years of 
age to vote. 

In 1911, Arthur Wittich after thirty-five years of serv¬ 
ice as organist, tendered his resignation which was accepted 
with regret. October 1, 1918, the Common Service Book 
was introduced. At a congregational meeting held October, 
1919, it was decided to make alterations to the chapel. 
Architect George Gerhard prepared the plans and the pres¬ 
ent structure shows the result achieved. 


194 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The Rev. Henry K. Lantz having been placed in nom¬ 
ination was elceted. A parsonage was bought at North- 
side, 110 Summit street. A weekly calendar was inaugur¬ 
ated and a circular letter sent out announcing that Rev. 
Mr. Lantz would begin his work at St. James’, February 
18, 1923. 

St. James’ congregation has given five men for the 
ministry: The Revs. M. L. Zweizig, J. M. Horine, Charles J. 
Gable, Luther D. Gable, and D. H. Frederick. 

The following organizations are connected with St. 
James’ and have proven a great blessing: Sunday School, 
Ladies’ Aid Society, Young Peoples’ Guild, Woman’s Mis¬ 
sionary Society, and Children’s Missionary Society. 

Dr. Zweizig continued his work until he was stricken 
with illness March 3, 1922, and for nearly a year the spir¬ 
itual needs of the congregation were ministered to by Dr. 
C. T. Benze, Dr. E. E. Fischer, Rev. W. L. Laub, Rev. J. 0. 
Henry, and others. Rev. Zweizig tendered his resignation 
in September, 1922, to become effective October 1, 1922. 



ST. JAMES’ PARSONAGE 

Rev. R. B. Lynch, president of the Reading Conference, 
presided at a congregational meeting held January 5, 1923. 
This meeting was called for several purposes: First: To 
take final action on the resignation of Dr. Zweizig, and 
anything pertaining thereto; Secondly: The sale of par¬ 
sonage and selecting another one; Thirdly: The election 
of a new pastor. 


195 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


ST. JOHANNES, WALNUT AND CHURCH STREETS, 

READING 



EUTSCHE Evangelisch-Lutherische Santks Jo¬ 
hannes Gemeinde” is the official name of this 
congregation. Its very charter title indicates 
the origin and the linguistic character of this congregation 
in using the German language, as the language of its 
services, even up to the present day. Its church which 
is a large building of fine architecture, with a massive stone 
front and a beautiful interior modernly equipped, with a 


; 



ST. JOHANNES CHURCH 


196 


/ 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


parochial school building, now used for Sunday School pur¬ 
poses, attached to the rear, is located on Walnut street, be¬ 
tween Fifth and Sixth streets. It is built on an old burial 
ground which the congregation received as its inherited 
share of property rights from the old mother-congregation, 
Holy Trinity, from which it separated as a daughter-con¬ 
gregation. 

The congregation was organized in the year 1860 by 
the Rev. Dr. J. J. Kuendig. Pastor Kuendig, a native of 
Switzerland, who had prepared himself for the Foreign 
Mission field at the Mission School Crischona near Basel, 
came to this country in 1859 and served for one year as 
assistant to the Rev. Dr. J. Shantz at Holy Trinity Church, 
because the congregation at that time was yet largely 
German and needed preaching and pastoral service in the 
German language. The necessity of a purely German con¬ 
gregation in the city of Reading became evident, and so the 
German members of Holy Trinity congregation effected a 
peaceful settlement and separation from the mother-con¬ 
gregation, and under the leadership of Pastor Kuendig or¬ 
ganized “Die Deutsche Evang. Luth. St. Johannes Ge- 
meinde.” 

In spite of great difficulties during the troublesome 
year 1861, when the Civil War began, the congregation suc¬ 
ceeded in building its church, which was dedicated on the 
First Sunday in Advent, 1861. During the same year also 
the congregation bought a piece of land of five (5) acres, 
situated near Thirteenth and Cotton street, to provide 
for a burial ground. The young congregation made very 
rapid progress in its growth and added from year to year 
to its equipment. For two years the congregation was 
satisfied to listen to all sorts of musical instruments accom¬ 
panying its services, but then the people rose with a will 
to buy a new, fine organ, which was dedicated with appro¬ 
priate rejoicing during Easter time, 1863. This organ with 
various repairs and rebuildings served its purpose for over 
50 years, until it was supplanted by a magnificent Austin 
Organ in 1920. 

After the congregation had its organ, it was just as 
eager to have its bells and immediately undertook the task 


197 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


of getting the funds together for three bells, which were 
bought and dedicated the following year, on July 24, 1864. 
The bells were hung in the steeple which at that time was 
not yet completed. Surely, after having procured the bells, 
the steeple could not remain unfinished, and behold, the 
new task of building the steeple was accomplished by this 
young, enterprising congregation during the next three 
years. 

As most of the members of the congregation owned 
their burial lots on the congregational cemetery, the need 
of a chapel close to the cemetery grounds for the purpose 
of funeral services was felt, and so a chapel was built and 




ST. JOHANNES AND TRINITY CEMETERIES 

dedicated in 1874. Since that time until the present day 
this chapel is also used every Sunday for Sunday School 
purposes and for occasional services once a month. 

One of the main sources of growth and vigor in the 
life of St. John’s has been its parochial school. It was or¬ 
ganized as early as 1865, the fathers realizing how much 
religious training, as well as training in the German lan¬ 
guage meant for the future of the congregation, and it 
was especially through the faithful and efficient service of 
Mr. Karl Womberger, who was the principal of the school 
and the organist of the congregation for thirty-three years, 
that the parochial school proved to be such a blessing to 
the congregation. The school survived even the World 



198 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

War in spite of much anti-German feeling; but the diffi¬ 
culty in providing an adequate teaching force and the de¬ 
creasing number of children attending forced the congre¬ 
gation reluctantly to close the school, that had been such 
a stronghold of its congregational life from the very be¬ 
ginning. 



CHAPEL ON COTTON STREET 

St. John’s in Reading is renowned for its three won¬ 
derful German cathedral bells. These new bells were bought 
and dedicated in 1905. In the year 1904 the steeple struck 
by lightning had burned down, in which calamity the old 
bells suffered so much damage as to be rendered useless. 
It is worth noting that the new cathedral bells, which are 
of cast steel and which were bought from a German firm 
in Bochum, Germany, are the very bells which were on 
exhibit in the World’s Fair at St. Louis, 1904, where they 
rang from the belfry of the German Building and charmed 
every visitor of the fair with their wonderful tone. To 
these, magnificent bells the members of St. John’s have 
added since 1920, a new modern three-manual electric pipe 
organ, just as magnificent as the bells in its volume and 


199 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


quality of tone. The organ was built by the Austin Com¬ 
pany, Mass., and was dedicated on the First Sunday in 
Advent, 1920. It helps to keep up the musical tradition of 
the congregation, which always had the good reputation of 
a “singing congregation”. 

In this brief history several festival occasions might 
be mentioned, which marked epochs in the congregational 
development and made a deep impression on its life, such 
as the 25th anniversary in 1885; the Golden Jubilee in 1910; 
the dedication of the new bells in 1905; the 400th anniver¬ 
sary of the Reformation in 1917, and the dedication of the 
new organ in 1920. The congregational jubilee festivals 
were remarkable also through the fact, that they were per¬ 
sonal jubilee celebrations of Dr. Kuendig, the founder of the 
congregation, who had remained the senior pastor of the 
congregation to the end of his life in June, 1917, serving as 
active pastor up to 1912, over 50 years. From 1884 on, how¬ 
ever, during the second period of Pastor Kuendig’s active 
ministry, the congregation had the service of a number of 
assistants or associate pastors. Their names and years of 
service are as follows: Pastor N. Ander, 1884-1885; Pastor 
A. Hellwege, 1887-1891; Pastor Ph. Hoh, 1891-1893; Pas¬ 
tor O. Kleine, 1893-1895; Pastor R. Bielinski, 1895-1900. 
Pastor Philipp Kirchner, 1902, until the present time. Pas¬ 
tor Kirchrer was associated with Dr. Kuendig in active 
work ten years up to 1912, after which time he took over 
the active work of Dr. Kuendig, who remained senior pas¬ 
tor emeritus for five years until his death in 1917; since 
that time Pastor Kirchner has had sole charge of the work. 
He is now connected with St. John’s twenty-one years, 
and it is worth noting that St. John’s is his first and only 
charge since he entered the ministry in 1902. 

Since 1918 English Evening services have been intro¬ 
duced and are held twice a month. Likewise in Sunday 
School and catechetical instruction the English is used more 
or less, in order to comply with the necessities of the 
younger generation. The main services, however, are still 
held in the German language which is still fundamentally 
necessary for the congregation as it is constituted at pres¬ 
ent. 


200 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


necessity of providing more ample accommodations for it, 
it was decided to build a frame chapel on the lot already 
purchased. In 1868 plans were adopted and work begun in 
the spring. The corner-stone was laid by Dr. Fry, assisted 
by Rev. T. T. Iaeger, on July 26, 1868. The building was 

St. John’s is a well organized congregation, having its 
various organizations, such as a well grouped Sunday 
School; Saturday Afternoon School; Young Folks Society; 
Ladies’ Aid Society; Orphans’ Home Society; who are all 
very actively and successfully engaged in congregational 
and charitable work. 

ST. LUKE’S, NINTH STREET NEAR GREEN, READING 

/^fcrHE nucleus of the congregation was from a Sunday 
il School, begun in 1862, which met in a schoolhouse 
on Tenth Street near Green. The Sunday School 
had been organized by a Lutheran Mission Society, which 
was composed of the teachers of Trinity, St. Matthew’s and 
St. James’ Sunday Schools for the establishment of Mission 
Schools in various parts of the city of Reading. Ground 
had been purchased by this Mission Society on Ninth 
street near Green for a building, and very little had been 
paid on it when this Mission Society was approaching the 
point of dissolution. The dissolution took place in the 
summer of 1865 and Trinity Church, Dr. Jacob Fry, pastor, 
took over this Sunday School and raised money to pay for 
the lot which was in danger of being lost to the Church. 
The entire cost of the lot was $600. Mr. Solomon L. Moser, 
who had been superintendent of Trinity Sunday School 
was now put in charge of this School. 

Soon after assuming charge of the work and seeing the 
frame 30 by 50 feet and was surmounted by a steeple. It 
was called “The Ghapel of the Reformation” and cost with 
the lot $3,600. The dedication took place on the festival 
of the Reformation, Saturday, October 31, 1868, the sermon 
being preached by Rev. J. F. Fahs of Allentown. The Mis¬ 
sion Sunday School on North Tenth street was transferred 
to this chapel, and public services were held in it every 
other Sunday afternoon by the pastor of Trinity and other 


201 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 




neighboring pastors, and Sunday School sessions were held 
every Sunday. 

In 1869, Rev. F. K. Huntzinger was called as a mission¬ 
ary to this work with the view of organizing a congregation 
at some future time. He had been ordained May 26, 1869, 



ST.LUKE’S CHURCH 


and began his labors here June 5, 1869, serving this Mission 
and four other congregations. The attendance at the pub¬ 
lic services for the greater part of the first year was small, 
often not more than ten or fifteen persons being present. 


202 
































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


galleries on three sides, making a total seating capacity 
of 600. 

The congregation was incorporated under the laws of 
Pennsylvania and received a charter on March 19, 1877. 
On January 10, 1879, Trinity Church executed a deed trans- 
This section of the city had just been laid out and only a 
few houses were near the church; but as the section was 
rapidly improving the attendance at the services increased 
accordingly; so that on Thursday, January 12, 1871, an 
organization into a congregation was effected. Dr. Jacob 
Fry presided at the meeting, and Rev. F .K. Huntzinger 
acted as secretary. At this meeting the constitution recom¬ 
mended by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania was adopted 
and Rev. F. K. Huntzinger was elected pastor. The first 
vestry was John Samsel and Jacob Bissikummer, elders; 
Solomn L. Moser, J. D. W. Witman, J. D. Maurer and Frank¬ 
lin B. Himmelreich, deacons. There were 37 enrolled at 
this organization meeting as members. The name of the 
congregation was at this time changed from ‘‘The Chapel 
of the Reformation’' to “St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran 
Church of Reading, Pa.”, which it has had ever since, 
though in later years it has become widely known as “Hunt- 
zinger’s Church”. The first class of catechumens num¬ 
bered twenty-five persons and was confirmed on Good 
Friday, April 21, 1871. 

“Thus was the beginning of this work. St. Luke’s 
was the first congregation that sprang from Trinity with¬ 
out previous friction or a disturbance of peaceful relations.” 
Dr. Fry said,—“it was the first congregation directly 
planted by Trinity and some of its members”. 

The progress and growth of St. Luke’s after its organi¬ 
zation was so rapid that in 1874 the building had to be en¬ 
larged by adding fifteen feet to the depth and introducing 
ferring the lot and chapel on Ninth near Green street to 
St. Luke’s congregation. 

During the next few years St. Luke’s grew by leaps 
and bounds, and a new and larger building became impera¬ 
tive. The closing services in the old church were held on 
Sunday, May 2, 1886, and the work of taking it down began 
the next day. The congregation held its services during 


203 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

the erection of the new church in the Boy’s High School; 
and the Sunday School held its sessions in the two public 
schoolhouses at Tenth and Green streets. The cornel-stone 
of the new church was laid Whitsunday, June 13, 1886 at 
3.30 P. M. by Rev. F. K. Huntzinger in the presence of about 
5,000 persons. The basement was formally opened for 



THE OLD CHURCH 


Divine service on October 10, 1886. The new church was 
consecrated by the pastor Sunday, February 13, 1887, the 
sermon being preached by Rev. Dr. J. J. Kuendig. The 
church is surmounted by a large square brick tower in which 
was placed a large fine toned bell. The seating capacity 
of the church is 1,000. 


■n 


204 









































































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


ices in the. church on June 1, 1919. The church was filled 
to overflowing at all three services of that day, the edi¬ 
fice was handsomely decorated with greens and flowers, 
and as a token of appreciation Dr. Huntzinger was pre¬ 
sented with SI,000 by the congregation. 

After having served St. Luke’s as its first and only 
pastor for fifty-one years and eleven months of faithful, 

In 1893 a large fine pipe organ procured at a cost of 
S2,700, was placed in the west end of the gallery and was 
dedicated February 12, 1894. Mrs. Leah Samsel having 
left a legacy of S600, it was used as a part of the purchase 
money. 

During these years the congregation prospered to an 
unusual degree. The church though large was filled to over¬ 
flowing, special seats in the aisles being necessary. The 
catechetical classes from now on never or seldom numbered 
less than one hundred. In 1899 considerable changes were 
made in the vestibule. Instead of a single door and two 
stairways, three doors and two additional stairways were 
provided. About that time also additional room for the 
Sunday School which had grown apace with the congre¬ 
gation, was procured by fitting up the second floor above 
the former primary room with galleries, and throwing the 
lower space into the main room. 

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the ordination of the 
pastor was celebrated on June 5, 1894 in a fitting manner. 
Likewise the fortieth anniversary of the ordination of the 
pastor, and also that many years of continuous service in 
the one congregation was commemorated with special serv¬ 
ices in the church on June 13, 1909. Of special note how¬ 
ever, was the fiftieth anniversary of the ordination of the 
pastor, Rev. Dr. F. K. Huntzinger, and of his fifty years 
continuous and successful service as pastor of St. Luke’s 
Church. This great event was celebrated with special serv- 

loving, kindly service, Dr. Huntzinger, loved not only by the 
members of his Church, but by the whole community was 
called to the Church Triumphant by his Master on May 2, 
1921 after a few months’ illness. The splendid record of 
lengthy service in one congregation; and the number of 
accessions and pastoral acts has seldom been equaled and 


205 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


calls for special recognition. Dr. Huntzinger baptized 9,732; 
confirmed 5,231; married 4,277 couples, and buried 4,984. 
During the illness of Dr. Huntzinger he was elected pastor 
emeritus with full salary by the congregation on April, 
18, 1921. 

After the death of their only and beloved pastor St. 
Luke’s was like a flock without a shepherd and serious 
difficulties were encountered which threatened the future 



ST. LUKE’S PARSONAGE 


of this congregation. Finally by God’s guidance Rev. Wm. 
Albert Fluck, pastor of the Lower Tinicum Parish in Bucks 
County, Pa., was elected pastor and took up his duties in 
St. Luke’s January 1, 1922. New life and vigor was at 
once manifested in the work of the congregation and peace 
and progress was everywhere evident. A parsonage located 
at 507 North Ninth street was purchased on February 1 


206 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


and paid for in full by July 1, 1922, the cost having been 
810,000. The attendances again filled the large church. 

The organizations of St. Luke’s are a Sunday School 
which enrolls 1025 members; a Luther League with 350 
members; an Orphans’ Home Sewing Society with 337 pay¬ 
ing members; and a Mite Society with 223 members. 

During the World War there were 214 of St. Luke’s 
men in the service of the nation. There are two students 
preparing for the ministry, and two young ladies in the 
diaconate. Two Scholarships have been raised and placed 
at Muhlenberg College, called the “Dr. Huntzinger Mem¬ 
orial Scholarships’’ for men preparing for the ministry. 

f 

ST. MARK’S, TENTH AND WINDSOR STREETS, 

READING 

/^■■^HE Rev. E. S. Brownmiller, Ph. D., D. D., feeling 
il the pressing need of a Church in the northeastern 
part of the city of Reading began to conduct serv¬ 
ices in the schoolhouse at Tenth and Douglass streets on 
Sunday, December 1st, 1889. These services continued 
for but a short time when the congregation was formally 
organized. This took place on January 31st, 1890, at 
which time a constitution was adopted and officers 
elected. These men were properly installed one week 
later, February 2nd, 1890. At a regularly called, congre¬ 
gational meeting which was held Monday, February 17th, 
Dr. Brownmiller was unanimously chosen pastor of the 
newly established Church. 

In most cases, the Church is an outgrowth of the 
Sunday School. Here the order was reversed, the Sun¬ 
day School being organized on February 9th, 1890. 

During this same general period of time Mr. and 
Mrs. William A. Arnold also felt the need of a Church in 
this part of the city and so presented a lot, located on 
Oley street above Eleventh, to Holy Trinity. The afore¬ 
said lot was afterwards exchanged for another and more 
costly one at the northeast corner of Tenth and Wind¬ 
sor streets. This property was later on presented to St. 
Mark’s congregation and upon it stands its present struc¬ 
ture. 


207 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The corner-stone cf St. Mark’s was laid on November 
16th, 1890, and the dedication took place May 31st, 1891. 

During the year 1900 the edifice was enlarged by 
adding a second floor which on account of the good height 
of the building could easily be done. At the same time a 
rear gallery for the main auditorium was constructed, art 



ST. MARK’S CHURCH 

windows placed and comfortable pews installed. The same 
was dedicated, August 26th, 1900. The principal speaker 
was the Rev. Dr. George F. Spieker. 

A month later, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the pas¬ 
tor’s entrance into the ministry was observed and also the 
tenth anniversary of the founding of the Church. The Rev. 
F. K. Bernd preached in the morning and the Rev. J. R. 
Dimm, D. D., in the evening. 


208 













LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The Rev. Martin Luther Brownmiller immediately upon 
his ordination became his father’s assistant in June, 1904. 

The twenty-fifth anniversary of Dr. Brownmiller’s 
pastorate of St. Mark’s was elaborately celebrated, February 
21st to 24th, 1915. The chief speakers were the Revs. Prof. 
J. A. W. Haas, D. D., LL. D.; J. 0. Henry, and M. C. Horine, 
D. D. 

ZION’S, MARION TOWNSHIP 

3 N THE year 1710, the larger number of immigrants 
that came to America, settled on the shores of the 
Hudson river. In the spring of 1712 one hundred and 
fifty families moved from the Hudson to Schoharie, west of 
Albany, where they settled among the Mohawk Indians. On 
their arrival they were wholly destitute of the necessaries 
of life and in consequence suffered greatly. In Schoharie 
they received permission from the Indians to improve the 
land and build houses. However, in doing this work, they 
failed to comply with the formalities of the law of New 
York and so the titles to their properties were defective. 
In order to right all this, they sent a delegation to England 
in 1718. One of the members of this party was John Con¬ 
rad Weiser, the father of the well known Indian agent, Con¬ 
rad Weiser. Having been captured by pirates and thrown 
into prison for debt, he did not return until 1723. He and 
his companions failed in their mission. 

About this time they heard of unoccupied lands in 
Swatara and Tulpehocken in the province of Pennsylvania 
and being invited to settle here by Sir William Keith, the 
governor of Pennsylvania, thirty-three families left their 
houses and farms in Schoharie and under the guidance of 
friendly Indians journeyed in a southwestern direction 
through thick forests until they arrived at the Susquehanna 
river. They came down the Susquehanna in rafts to the 
mouth of the Swatara creek, now the site of Middletown, 
Dauphin county. From thence they came up the Swatara. 
Eventually they drifted to the banks of the Tulpehocken. 
Here, in this fertile region close to where Mill creek empties 
into the Tulpehocken, they settled during the spring of 
1723. These were the first white inhabitants in this sec- 


209 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


tion. In this place they commenced the world anew. Five 
or six years later they were followed by others from Scho¬ 
harie foremost among whom was Conrad Weiser who took 
such a deep interest in both religious and civic affairs. 
With his sons he settled a short distance below what is now 
Womelsdorf. 

The Tulpehocken region was named after a tribe of 
Indians called Turpyhockin who inhabited it, whose chief 



ZION’S' OR REED’S CHURCII 

was Manangy. He was called the Indian chief of the Schuyl¬ 
kill. Through it led an important trail from the Indian 
village of Peixtan on the Susquehanna to the city of Phila¬ 
delphia. 

The majority of Germans who emigrated to America 
were religiously inclined. Most of them had left their 
native land because of religious persecution. To this class 
belonged the Lutherans of the Tulpehocken district. Hence 


210 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

in 1727, four or five years after their coming, they united 
in adopting measures to erect a Church, A meeting was 
called for this purpose to which brethren living within a 
radius of twenty miles were invited.' The gathering took 
place in a log fort on Mill creek near Newmanstown. 

This fort was the work of Benjamin Spicker. It was 
a place where the German settlers of Mill creek, Tulpe- 
hocken, and those residing along the Blue mountains were 
accustomed to assemble in order to consult on important 
matters or to protect themselves against the attacks of 
their enemies. 

This meeting was largely attended. The men were 
accompanied by their wives and children as it would have 
been unsafe to leave them unprotected in their respective 
homes. They were armed with all kinds of weapons to pro¬ 
tect themselves in their journey. Among those in attend¬ 
ance was the Rev. John Caspar Stoever from Lancaster 
county. 

The meeting was opened with singing the battle hymn 
of the Reformation “Ein Feste Burg 1st Unser Gott.’’ Pas¬ 
tor Stoever then led in prayer. Adam Rieth (Reed) pre¬ 
sided and stated the object of the gathering. Upon motion 
of George Scholl it was unanimously resolved to erect a 
house of worship on a piece of land offered by the brethren 
Rieth. 

In a week’s time both young and old were busily en¬ 
gaged in this great work. Some felled the trees, others 
dug the foundations, and still others cut the stone. It is 
even said that the women rendered assistance by carrying 
water from the Tulpehocken creek. In less than five 
months the church was ready for occupancy. Christopher 
Lechner, superintended the entire work. The church was 
a small log building and was but coarsely furnished. The 
pulpit was made of rough boards, the clergy chair was a 
block of a tree, and the pews were of logs. A special word 
must be said about the communion table. It is still in exis¬ 
tence. This table is of solid walnut. Not a single nail was 
used in its construction. It is 30 inches high by 34 and 48 
in width and length. The church stood on the east side of a 
prominent elevation and could easily be seen from great 


211 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

distances. It was dedicated the latter part of October, 
1727, the Rev. John Caspar Stoever, officiating. 

In 1744 a stone edifice, 24 feet square was erected. It 
stood near the northeast corner of the graveyard. The 
spot can yet be designated. It remained in use for 93 years 
when it was damaged by a storm. In 1837 the congregation 
decided to build the church still remembered by many. A 
stone in the west wall bore the inscription “Die Zion’s 
Kirche, Erbaut im Jahr 1837.” 

A charter was obtained by the congregation in the 
year 1846 under the name of “Zion’s Lutheran Church”. 
The same was granted by the courts of Berks county. 



OLD COMMUNION TABLE 

At present the congregation worships in its fourth edi¬ 
fice. This house of worship stands at the eastern end of 
Stouchsburg about half a mile from the old site. The cor¬ 
ner-stone was laid on October 27, 1895. Upon this occasion 
the pastor was assisted by the Revs. Dr. M. C. Horine, Dr. 
G. F. Spieker, D. D. Trexler and J. W. Early. In the fall 
of 1900 the basement was dedicated. The sermons were 
delivered by Pastors Horine and Bernd. The entire struc¬ 
ture was not completed until 1911. It was dedicated on the 
22nd day of October of that year. The principal addresses 
were delivered by the Revs. Drs. M. C. Horine, G. F. Spieker, 
and T. E. Schmauk. Upon this occasion, the pastor, Dr. 


212 







LUTHERANS IN'BERKS COUNTY 

E. S. Brownmiller celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of 
his ministerial connection with the congregation. 

The pioneers of Lutheranism in this vicinity also took 
a great interest in educational matters. A private school 
was established by Christopher Lechner and Adam Reith. 
It was kept at the house of the former. Soon after this 



THIRD CHURCH BUILDING 


the congregation organized a parochial school. The first 
teacher was Jacob Hannmer, a native of Manheim, Baden. 
The schoolhouse that was erected by the congregation also 
served as a parsonage. It stood until some fifty years 
ago when it was taken down to make room for a com¬ 
modious house for the sexton. 

The congregation was without a regular pastor for a 
number of years following its organization. A properly 
prepared and ordained minister was hard to obtain during 
those da3 r s. The members, however, met on Sundays, sang 
and prayed and had the Gospel and sermons read to them. 
The want of a pastor was so much felt that they frequently 


213 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


allowed any one who called himself a Lutheran minister to 
officiate in the church. Thus they became involved in 
ecclesiastical difficulties which are fully discussed under 
the title “Tulpehocken Confusion.” 

This sad state of affairs after all did not continue for a 
great period of time. In 1748, the Rev. J. Nicholas Kurtz, 
who had been ordained in August of that year in St. 
Michael’s Church, Philadelphia, during the first meeting of 
the Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, be¬ 
came pastor. He resided in the parsonage of Christ’s Church 
not far away which had been erected the previous year. 
He remained pastor of the old Tulpehocken Church until 



THIRD CHURCH INTERIOR 

April, 1770, when he removed to York, Penna. He also 
served Christ’s Church, Northkill (Bernville), Heidelberg 
(Eck Church) from the time of its organization, and the 
Altheo Church (Rehrersburg). 

Muhlenberg visited Tulpehocken, a number of times, 
preaching, confirming and administering the Holy Com¬ 
munion in Christ’s Lutheran Church, a short distance west 
of Stouchsburg. Whether Muhlenberg ever preached in the 
old Tulpehocken Church (Zion’s or Reed’s) is not known. 
It is certain, however, that on April 28, 1748, Muhlenberg, 
Brunholtz and Kurtz, possibly one or two other pastors, 
after they had administered the Holy Communion in 


214 
















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

Christ’s Church, came to Zion’s where they conducted serv¬ 
ices at 4 P. M., Pastor Kurtz preaching the sermon. No 
doubt Muhlenberg took part. Afterwards the party retired 
to the house of Muhlenberg’s father-in-law, Conrad Weiser, 
living below Womelsdorf. 

In 1770, the Rev. Christoph Emmanuel Schulze was 
elected pastor and moved into the parsonage of Christ’s 
Church during December of the same year. Rev. Schulze 
was a son-in-law of Muhlenberg. He remained pastor of 
Zion’s until his death, March 9, 1809, a period of thirty- 
nine years. He was assisted in his arduous labors by his 
son, John Andrew Melchior Schulze from the time of his 



THIRD CHURCH BUILDING 


licensure in 1796 until about 1805 when he was compelled 
to withdraw from the ministry on account of physical ail¬ 
ments. He afterwards rose to great eminence, serving as 
governor of Pennsylvania from 1823 to 1829. 

After the death of Christoph Emmanuel Schulze, the 
Rev. Daniel Ulrich was elected pastor. He removed to Tul- 
pehocken in July, 1811 and served the old Church until 1851 
when on account of bodily infirmities he relinquished his 
labors. 

For more than a hundred years, this congregation was 
served by but three pastors. From February 1852 to May, 
1853, the Rev. L. G. Eggers, then pastor of Christ’s Church, 


215 







LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

preached for the congregation. On May 22, 1853, the Rev. 
Thomas T. Iaeger commenced to preach and remained in 
charge until July 30, 1865. In the autumn of 1865, the Rev. 
Aaron Finfrock was called and served the congregation until 
January, 1886, a period of twenty years. At the beginning 
of the same year, the Rev. Dr. E. S. Brownmiller took 
charge and has been serving it up to this time. 


ZION, ALSACE TOWNSHIP 


fy PIES’ Church as Zion is commonly known, occupies 
a very elevated site in the eastern section of Alsace 
Township. It can easily be seen for miles around. 
In all probability it was a union church from the beginning, 
the Lutherans uniting with the Reformed in erecting the 
first house of worship in 1774 upon a small tract of land 
donated for the purpose by Victorius Spiess. The first 
trustees were Victorius Spiess and Paul Feger. 

The second edifice was erected in 1810 while Paul Bar, 
John Babb, George Spade, and Peter Knabb were trustees. 
It was a structure having a depth of 60 feet and a width 

of 45 feet. There were galleries on three sides. The cor- 

* 

ner-stone laying and dedication took place during the pas¬ 
torate of the Rev. Dr. H. A. Muhlenberg. 

In 1861 a cemetery company was chartered in connec¬ 
tion with the Church. Four acres of ground were purchased 
for this purpose and laid out in lots. 

In 1887 a still larger house of worship was erected. 
It was built of brick and measured 54 feet by 86 feet. A 
steeple 176 feet high added to its beauty. A fine pipe 
organ was placed on the east gallery opposite the pulpit. 

The corner-stone was laid on July 3, 1887. The pas¬ 
tor, the Rev. T. T. Iaeger being assisted by the Revs. Leon¬ 
ard Groh and U. P. Heilman. Dedication took place on 
Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27, 1888. This happy 
event was overcast by the death of Pastor Iaeger only a 
short time previous. At these services the Lutheran con¬ 
gregation was represented by the Revs. Z. H. Gable and 
E. S. Brownmiller, Ph. D., D. D., the former speaking on 
Saturday and the latter on Sunday. The building corn- 


216 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

mittee consisted of Harrison Seidel, David Babb, Mahlon 
Knabb and Jeremiah Hartman. 

After a Sunday afternoon service, on February 4, 1912, 
this beautiful structure was burned to the ground. The 
fire was due to a defective flue. At once arrangements 
were made to rebuild. The following committee was named 



ZION OR SPIES’ CHURCH 


for this purpose: Harrison Yoder, Levi Eddinger, Ammon 
S. Hartman and Hiram S. Hartman. The new building 
was sufficiently advanced to lay the corner-stone on Sun¬ 
day afternoon, May 12, 1912. The pastors of the two con¬ 
gregations, the Revs. Dr. E. S. Brownmiller and M. L. Her- 
bine officiated. Dedication took place on Sunday, Novem- 


217 
















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

ber 24, 1912. The weather was very unpleasant, much snow 
and rain falling. Dr. Brownmiller was assisted by Pastors 
C. E. Kistler, W. 0. Laub, M. L. Brownmiller, and F. K. 
Huntzinger, D. D. 

It appears that the congregation was without a pastor 
for the first eight years of its existence. In the year 1782, 
the Rev. C. F. Wildbahn came and served until 1796. His 
successor was the Rev. Daniel Lehman, 1796-1801. Appar¬ 
ently the congregation now remained vacant about two 
years when the Rev. H. A. Muhlenberg, D. D., began to 
serve it in connection with Trinity, Reading, 1803-1829. 
He was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Jacob Miller, 1829-1850. 
The Rev. Reuben S. Wagner was pastor from 1850-1854. In 
1855, the Rev. T. T. laeger took charge and served until 
the day of his death in 1888 with but a brief intermission 
along 1865-1866 during which time he was suffering with 
throat trouble. The present pastor, the Rev. E. S. Brown¬ 
miller, Ph. D., D. D., began his work here in 1889. 




KISSINGER’S, SPRING TOWNSHIP 

HIS Church was organized at a comparatively recent 
period—within the last half of the nineteenth cen¬ 
tury. It is located in Spring Township, a little to 
the right of the road leading along the Tulpehocken from 
Wertz’s mill to Reading, about two miles from the city. 

In the year 1852 both the Reformed and Lutherans 
organized congregations. They also made arrangements 
to build a church. The corner-stone was laid May 9, and the 
building was dedicated October 17, of the same year. The 
pastors at the time were the Rev. W. A. Good, Reformed and 
the Rev. J. C. Schmidt, Lutheran. 

The first Lutheran elders were John Matz and Abra¬ 
ham Kissinger. The building committee consisted of John 
Matz, Lutheran, with Jonathan Fisher and Adam Althouse, 
Reformed. Abraham Kissinger donated half an acre of 
ground for a burial place, and John Kissinger of Reading, 
the plot on which the church is erected. Subsequently an 
additional plot to be used as a grove, and for the erection 
of sheds, was purchased. Early in 1890 considerable more 
ground was bought and added to the cemetery. 


218 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


On January 1, 1891, the congregations decided to erect 
a brick tower, seventy feet high. A bell weighing 1,500 
pounds was presented by Edward S. Wertz in memory of 
his father. The dedication took place January 1, 1892. 

April 1, 1894, Henry B. Fisher proposed to place a new 
two-manual organ, constructed by Mr. Bohler of Reading 
in the church as a memorial to his deceased wife. The 



KISSINGER’S CHURCH 


price of the organ was 81,350. It was dedicated on Ascen¬ 
sion Day, May 10, 1894. 

The Rev. J. C. Schmidt continued to serve the Luth¬ 
eran congregation until 1854 when he was succeeded by the 
Rev. F. A. M. Keller who served until 1864. From 1865 to 


219 







LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

1869, the Rev. A. Finfrock was pastor. He was succeeded 
by the Rev. F. K. Huntzinger who served the congregation 
twelve years. For a brief period following the Revs. D. D. 
Trexler and T. T. Iaeger acted as supplies. From Novem¬ 
ber, 1882 to November, 1883, it was served by Pastor Trex¬ 
ler alone. The history of the congregation for the next 
two years is somewhat hazy but it would appear that Pas¬ 
tors Iaeger and Bickel supplied it. In November, 1885 the 
Rev. T. T. Iaeger became pastor and continued to serve until 
1887 when it became vacant again. The conference pro¬ 
vided supplies until 1889 when the present pastor, the Rev. 
Dr. E. S. Brownmiller was called to the field. 

CHRIST, OLEY TOWNSHIP 

/^I^HIS is one of the few churches originally organized 
lit as an exclusively Lutheran Church, that has re- 
mained so to this day. It is situated near the east¬ 
ern boundary of Oley township not far from Spangsville. 
It is said that the congregation was organized in 1820. It 
is, however, probable that the Lutherans met regularly for 
the holding of services in the Reformed Church of the com¬ 
munity prior to this time. 

In 1821, the Lutherans made arrangements to erect 
their own house of worship. Like the present building, it 
was located hardly more than a stone’s cast from the Re¬ 
formed Church. Henry J. Spang, Martin Yoder, and Wil¬ 
liam Trout were elected a building committee. A lot was 
donated by Jacob S. Spang. The corner-stone was laid May 
27, 1821. It is stated that the first services were held on 
Christmas of that year. But the formal dedication did not 
take place until Whitsuntide, May 26 and 27, 1822. “On 
this occasion,” we read in the old records, “the following 
ministers were present (besides the pastor of the congrega¬ 
tion, C. Mieler), Jacob Miller, Theobald J. Faber, and Fred 
erick W. Geissenheimer, of whom Jacob Miller preached 
on Sunday morning on Genesis 28:17. Th. J. Faber preached 
in the afternoon on Psalm 126:3. On Monday, F; W. Geiss¬ 
enheimer preached in the morning and afternoon, in the 
morning on Acts 11:22 and 23, in the afternoon on Matthew 
28th chapter, latter part of last verse.” 


220 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



This old building was of stone, stuccoed. It formed 
almost a perfect square with galleries on three sides. The 
pipe organ was opposite the pulpit. The church was reno¬ 
vated in 1878 and again seven or eight years later. 

The present building is Gothic built out of brick. It 
was dedicated on Whitsunday and Whitmonday, May 30 and 
31, 1909. The pastor, the Rev. Dr. E. S. Brownmiller, being 
assisted by the Revs. D. D. Trexler, C. E. Kistler, A. W. 
Lindenmuth, D. G. Gerberich, M. L. Brownmiller, W. 0. 
Laub and J. J. Kline, Ph. D. 


CHRIST OR OLEY CHURCH 

On January 6, 1822, the Rev. Conrad Miller was in¬ 
stalled as pastor in the new church. A constitution was 
adopted on March 31 of the same year. Conrad Miller must 
have served the congregation a number of years before his 
installation for the records his first marriage under date of 
September 16, 1818. This is the first entry upon the con¬ 
gregational record. The book itself bears the date of 1821 
on the outside, and January 6, 1822 inside. Pastor Miller 
served the congregation until 1834. During these early 
years the congregation drew from a far wider field than 
today and so under the faithful ministry of its first pastor 


221 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


there was remarkable growth. Rev. Miller confirmed on 
an average, twenty-two persons every second year. 

The Rev. I. Roeller served the congregation from 1834- 
1839. 

For the next two years, the Rev. D. Koehler, who also 
preached at Friedensburg and Pricetown, was the pastor. 

The Rev. Marcus Harpel, or Mark Herpel, as his name 
was at first given, now came and officiated until the close 
of January, 1845. 

The Rev. G. F. Miller, Pottstown, was the next pastor 
serving from the latter part of 1848 to 1852. 

When the Rev. G. A. Hinterleitner, D. D. took charge 
of Kutztown during the close of 1852 or early in 1853, he 
also became pastor of this congregation and served prob¬ 
ably until August of 1866. 

Dr. Hinterleitner was followed by the Rev. T. T. Iaeger 
whose ministry extended from March 10, 1867 to January 
15, 1888. For about a year after Pastor Iaeger’s resigna¬ 
tion, the congregation was supplied by the Rev. U. P. Heil¬ 
man of Amityville. 

The present pastor of Christ Church is the Rev. 
Ephraim S. Brownmiller, Ph. D., D. D., whose ministry 
began in July of 1889. 

On Pentecost, 1922, the one hundredth anniversary of 
the dedication of the first church was fittingly observed. 
The Rev. J. B. Focht, D. D., of Susquehanna University, 
preached in the morning, afternoon and evening. On the 
preceding Saturday afternoon the pulpit was filled by the 
Rev. Robert B. Lynch. 

ST. PAUL’S, SIXTEENTH AND PERKIOMEN AVENUE 

READING 

T. PAUL’S was organized January 1, 1900, by Rev. 
GS) M. H. Stettler, who accepted the call from the Home 
Mission Board of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. 
His first service was held in St. John’s Lutheran Chapel, 
Chapel Terrace and Cotton street, on Sunday evening, 
November 19,1889. At this location services were conducted 
for over a year when the congregation moved to Dibert’s 
Hall, Ninth and Penn streets; and from this location, 18 


222 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

pastor and this is his first charge. That this congregation 
served the purpose which prompted its establishment is 
evident when the fact is noted that of its total membership 
less than one-tenth was received by letter of transfer. 

The congregation has attained its present status by 
hard labor and constant self-denial. When the temporary 
structure was projected, members worked night after night 
excavating for the foundation. At the time of occupancy 
the interior of the present structure was largely unfinished, 
members volunteered again to place all the plumbing and 
electrical work, erect the scaffolding and do the studding, 
sheathing, and lathing, thus occupying themselves after 



ST. PAUL’S CHURCH 


months later, to the temporary chapel at their present loca¬ 
tion. This building was occupied until the present com- 
modius church was dedicated in 1914. The congregation, 
organized with 36 members, was incorporated April 20th, 
1900; securing the plot of ground at Sixteenth street and 
Perkiomen avenue at that time. There has been but one 
nightfall for a period exceeding two years. The goal set is 


223 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


a completed church and a thousand membership by the 
twenty-fifth anniversary. The Sunday School has distin¬ 
guished itself by rendering willing and substantial support 
at all times. The Pastor’s Aid, the Missionary Society, the 
Brotherhood, the Young People’s Association, have labored 
in harmony and maintained enthusiasm for work that is 
truly noteworthy. 

Another feature that is unique and unusual, though 
true in part of every congregation, is the fact that families 
of skilled workers constitute the entire membership of this 
congregation. Here then truly the workers themselves 
have translated into tangible form a structure that is an 
expression of their hopes, their desires, their ambitions, 
and their faith. 


TRINITY, SIXTH AND WASHINGTON STREETS 

READING 


a 


& 


'HE history of Trinity Lutheran Congregation be¬ 
gins with the history of the town itself,” thus 
Doctor Fry, who has written a history of Trinity 
from its inception to the year 1894, begins his narrative. 
The first records of Trinity, carefully preserved in its safe, 
are dated 1751 but there is every reason to believe that the 
efforts which resulted in the organization of the congre¬ 
gation date back to 1748 when Reading was plotted as a 
town by the agents of Richard and Thomas Penn, sons of 
William Penn. There is a pewter communion flagon in the 
possession of the congregation bearing the date 1743, an¬ 
other that is inscribed 1748. These may be the dates of 
manufacture. The congregation is in possession of the min¬ 
utes of a congregational meeting held on the Festival of 
the Epiphany, January 6, 1752. 

Trinity was organized by the Rev. Tobias Wagner, a 
great-grandson of the Chancellor of the University of Tue¬ 
bingen of the same name. A subscription list for a building 
fund contains forty-nine names—surely a healthy begin¬ 
ning. Work on a church building was started in the spring 
of 1752. This edifice was of wood with a steeple and gal¬ 
leries on three sides. The congregation sent a delegate 
to the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, in session at German- 


224 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



TRINITY CHURCH 

Melchior Muhlenberg, who visited Trinity on October 15, 
1752, officiating at a communion service and baptizing sev¬ 
eral children. The Rev. H. B. G. Wordman preached b\ 
invitation on May 20, 1753 and was elected pastor. He re¬ 


town in October, 1752, who brought a petition asking that 
a pastor be sent to the Church, the petition being signed by 
eighty-two members. The congregation is proud of the fact 
that the first official representative of the Ministerium 
appearing in its pulpit was no less a person than Henry 


225 







LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


mained but a short time and was followed by the Revs. 
Daniel Shoemaker, John C. Hartwig (pastor protem), Bern- 
hard Hausihl, and John A. Krug. The congregation, dis¬ 
tressed because of the many changes, and anxious to secure 
a permanent pastor forwarded a petition to Halle in 1763 
asking that Henry Melchior Muhlenberg be permitted to 
accept a call to Trinity. Muhlenberg’s mother-in-law, the 
widow of Conrad Weiser, resided in Reading at that time 
and it was thought that the Patriarch of the Lutheran 
Church was rather receptive to the suggestion. The Halle 
fathers declined the request because of the importance of 
retaining Muhlenberg in the work of supervision in which 
he was then engaged. 

The rules of the church order adopted by the congre¬ 
gation in 1772 which constitute the constitution and by¬ 
laws of that period are still in the archives of the church 
and form a very interesting document. 

We may pause at this point to mention the names of 
a few more of the chain of pastors serving Trinity. To 
this group belong the Reverends Frederick Niemeyer, P. F. 
Grotz, Henry Moller, Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, second 
son of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, Daniel Lehman, and 
Frederick Wildbahn. 

The present church edifice which with its tower is 
studied by many students of colonial architecture, was built 
during the years 1791-94. The Rev. Henry A. Muhlenberg, 
D. D:, the grandson of Patriarch Muhlenberg and the son 
of the Rev. Henry E. Muhlenberg, D. D., was pastor of the 
congregation from 1803 to 1829. Under the regime of Dr. 
Muhlenberg the congregation prospered as shown by way 
of illustration in the report for 1804 which records 122 
baptisms and 52 confirmations. 

The Rev. Jacob Miller, D. D., succeeded Dr. Muhlen¬ 
berg in the pastorate. About this time the greater need for 
ministrations in the English language resulted in a call 
extended on November 3, 1842 to the Rev. F. A. M. Keller 
as “Assistant Preacher in the English language for the year 
beginning December 11, 1842.’’ The arrangement proved 
so satisfactory that he remained in this position until the 
death of Dr. Miller in 1850. The subsequent pastorates 


226 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

were those of the Revs. J. W. Richards, D. D., J. M. Hoff¬ 
man, F. J. F. Schantz, J. J. Kuendig, and C. Rightmyer. 

This brings us to the pastorate of the Rev. Jacob Fry, 
D. D., LL. D., L. H. D., whose long and eminent career at 
Trinity marked an important era in the development of the 
congregation. Dr. Fry’s pastorate extended over a period 



OLD SIXTH STREET ENTRANCE 

of 32 years from 1865 to 1897, in which year he resigned 
to accept a call to become the Professor of Homiletics and 
Practical Theology at the Lutheran Theological Seminary 
at Philadelphia. Under Dr. Fry the congregation was very 
thoroughly organized, the results of this organization being 
very apparent in the life of the congregation of today. Dr. 
Fry’s preaching was chiefly noted for his ability to clothe 
Bible texts in the language of the day. Of him it can be 
said .‘“homo sum; humani nihil a me alienum puto”. He 
was deeply interested in the work of the church at large. 


227 


























LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Dr. Fry was succeeded by the Rev. Edward T. Horn, 
D. D., LL. D., who resigned in like manner to accept a pro¬ 
fessorship at the same Seminary. Dr. Horn went to the 
Seminary as Professor of Missions and Ethics, the two de¬ 
partments in which he had become most expert because of 
his interest in and study of these subjects. During the 
pastorate of Dr. Horn at Trinity, Foreign Missions were 
stressed by the pastor who was the president of the Foreign 
Mission Board. Dr. Horn’s son Edward is the missionary 
pastor of the congregation in Japan. Dr. Horn’s liturgical 
sense supplemented by that of William Benbow, Trinity’s 
organist and choirmaster, made it possible for Trinity 



TRINITY PARSONAGE 

to become one of the finest exponents of how a Lutheran 
service ought to be rendered. 

The pastorate of Dr. Horn was succeeded by the brief 
pastorates of the Rev. J. C. Seegers, D. D., the successor 
of Dr. Fry in the chair of Homiletics at Mt. Airy, and the 
Rev. Nathan R. Melhorn, D. D., Editor of The Lutheran. 
Both these men, though they were at Trinity but a short 
time, left the impress of their personality upon the con¬ 
gregation. 

The present pastor of Trinity, the Rev. E. P. Pfat- 
teicher, D. D., Ph. D., is celebrating the fifth anniversary 
of his pastorate at Trinity during the anniversary year 
1923.' 


228 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Trinity Church has always occupied a foremost place 
in the councils of the Church at large. Its pastors and lay¬ 
men have been appointed and elected to important Boards 
and Committees and the congregation has shown a deep 
interest in the work of the Church. Its interests in the 
work of the Church at large has by no means made it blind 
to the interest of the Lutheran Church in the city of Read¬ 
ing for Trinity has organized and started and mothered for 
sometime practically all the Lutheran Churches in the city 
of Reading. It has thus been a pioneer in the right kind of 
self-sacrificial home missionary activity. Trinity has prac¬ 
tically always mothered one or two of her sons en route to 



TRINITY CHURCH INTERIOR 

the gospel ministry. She is at present interested in two 
ministerial students from among her sons. 

Trinity has always stressed church music of a high 
character and the rendition of a beautiful Lutheran service. 
Among the organists there have been such names as: 
Rightmyer, Ritter. Berg, Benbow and Seibert. Her new 
and youthful organist, a protege and pupil of Henry F. Sei¬ 
bert, is developing very rapidly into a worthy successor of 
these illustrious organists. 


229 















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The Bible School has had as superintendents among 
others: Dr. Oakley, Solomon Moser, P. A. Arnold, H. M. M. 
Richards, A. Raymond Bard and the present efficient in¬ 
cumbent of the office, George M. Jones, whose name is well 
known in the church at large, especially in Brotherhood 
and Luther League circles. 

The present organization of the congregation includes: 
a very efficient and consecrated parish worker, a business 
officer, a financial secretary, a very live Missionary Society, 
the members of which are organized into teams for the 
regular visitation of the congregation; a second equally 
active organization, composed of 145 men, under the lead¬ 
ership of a consecrated chairman which conducts the annual 
visitation of the congregation and such special visitations as 
are found necessary from time to time; an organization 
which is specially interested in the orphanage upon our 
territory and contributes large sums each year to that 
worthy cause; an Inner Mission Society which, by virtue 
of the consecration of its members and certain appreciable 
legacies for the poor among its members, is able to be a 
very effective society, extending its sway of Christian love 
not only to the poor but also to the many shut-in members 
of the parish of every station in life and to the more than 
60 students in preparatory schools and colleges by means of 
church literature systematically distributed; a Beneficial 
Sisterhood able to care for its members out of invested 
funds; a Daily Vacation Bible School serving the neighbor¬ 
hood; a Luther League which has undertaken some rather 
large projects in the interests of the young people; a Luth¬ 
eran Brotherhood, which seeks to enlist the interest of the 
men of the parish in an educational program; classes for 
the religious instruction of the young other than those in 
its Bible School; groups of a supplementary character such 
as the Boy and Girl Scouts; and an Altar Guild which con¬ 
tributes materially to the chaste setting of Trinity’s beauti¬ 
ful service. Among other things, the Altar Guild arranges 
for the gift of flowers each Sunday in memory of departed 
members of the congregation, said flowers being distributed 
among the sick after the evening service. 

The enumeration of some of the present day activities 
of “Old Trinity’’ has been deemed important: (1) that 


230 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

younger congregations may profit by her experience and 
(2) to show that though a congregation may be old in years 
it need not for that reason be feeble in doing the Lord’s 
work. “Old Trinity” is more than a landmark. It needs 
to be perpetuated as more than a landmark. By the grace 
of God it will ever be more than that. 

REDEEMER, OAKBROOK, READING 

Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 
if grew out of the Sunday School which was founded 
by Rev. Mahlon C. Horine, D. D., then pastor of 
St. James Lutheran Church of Reading, Pennsylvania in 
the year 1886. The Sunday School held weekly sessions in 
the Kurtz public schoolhouse, which was located at Lan¬ 
caster avenue and Hancock street. Augustus M. Brown 
was the first superintendent. There are no written records 
until the year 1903. Several times the school ceased to 
have sessions but later again started. It struggled hard 
against discouraging conditions but slowly laid the founda¬ 
tion. A number of church services were held in the public 
schoolhouse by Rev. Charles Kistler, Rev. Strodach, Rev. 
M. C. Horine and others. 

On February 6, 1898, St. James’ Sunday School took 
action, “to give the Lenten offerings to the ‘Oakland Mis¬ 
sion’ for the purpose of securing a lot to erect a church”. 
On December 1, 1902, Rev. M. C. Horine, D. D., purchased 
two lots (45 feet by 140 feet) located at the southwest 
corner of Fern avenue and Angelica street, for the sum of 
$600.00, $100.00 was to be donated by the executors of the 
Catharine Bechtel estate. A mortgage was given of $440 
and paid by St. James. This was donated to the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, April 2, 1923, by St. 
James. 

During the summer of 1903, the present church build¬ 
ing (32 feet by 50 feet) was erected by Dr. M. C. Horine. 
William Fink was the architect and the contract was 
awarded to Samuel Gehardt who received $280 for the car¬ 
penter work. The total cost of the church is not known; 
but after Rev. M. C. Horine had raised a certain amount by 


231 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


subscriptions a $1200 mortgage was given and paid by Re¬ 
deemer congregation, April 30, 1920. 

The bell was purchased from St. Barnabas Episcopal 
congregation and cost $65 when placed. It was dedicated 
September 4, 1904. A Sunday School was again organized 
November 15, 1903. This was done by Rev. F. F. Buer- 
meyer, D. D. Twenty were present. The services of the 



CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER 

Church were in charge of Rev. M. C. Horine and Rev. F. 
F. Beurmeyer, who gave their services gratis. 

In April, 1910, Rev. J. H. Neiman received and accepted 
a call to become pastor of Redeemer, Oakbrook, and Grace, 
Shillington; He was installed May 1, 1910. He confirmed 
the first class at Redeemer April 14, 1911. He resigned 
on account of illness and preached his last sermon at Re¬ 
deemer July 21, 1912. The Home Mission board supported 
Rev. J. H. Neiman. 


232 














LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 
was organized July 13, 1913, and a congregational con¬ 
stitution was adopted. On August 2, 1913, a special con¬ 
gregational meeting was held and articles of agreement 
were adopted to unite with the proposed Reading Subur¬ 
ban Parish, which was composed of Grace Lutheran 
Church, Shillington, Pa., the Evangelical Lutheran Church 
of the Atonement of Wyomissing, Pa., and the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. 

On November 13, 1913, it was decided to raise the 
church, which originally was built on posts, and put a lime¬ 
stone foundation under it at a cost of $572.60. 



REDEEMER PARSONAGE 


On May 17, 1914, Rev. R. W. Hufford, D. D., was unani¬ 
mously elected pastor of the parish. He was installed July 
5, 1914. The petition for incorporation of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer was filed in the court 
of Berks County, May 18, 1915, and entered January 11, 
1916. Dr. Hufford preached his last sermon at Redeemer, 
November 2, 1919. On August 21, 1921, at a congregational 
meeting the new constitution, recommended by the United 
Lutheran Church of America, was adopted. On January 1, 
1922, it was decided to raise $1000 toward the pastor’s 


233 









LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


salary, and ask the Mission Board for a pastor and help 
to support him. 

On May 7, 1922, Harry E. Herman, a student at the 
Mount Airy Lutheran Theological Seminary, filled the pul¬ 
pit, and was elected the same date at a congregational 
meeting. A call was extended and he accepted, taking 
charge June 11, 1922. He is the first residential pastor 
and was installed by Rev. R. B. Lynch, president of the 
Reading Conference, July 30, 1922. 

On the 22nd of August the congregation purchased 
a new plot of ground (135 feet by 140 feet) located on 
the northeast corner of Angelica street and Fern avenue, 
for the sum of $2400. On October 6, 1922, the congre¬ 
gation purchased a two story brick dwelling for the sum 
of S5300 and paid $170.10 to make the necessary repairs. 
The total valuation of the parsonage and church prop¬ 
erties at present is over $15,000. 

The following organizations are at work in the Evan¬ 
gelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer:—Sunday School 
organized November 15, 1903; Mite Society organized in 
1913; Senior Luther League organized February 29, 1920; 
Junior Luther League organized April 29, 1921; Intermed¬ 
iate Luther League, October 6, 1922; Pastor’s Aid organized 
1921. The orchestra and choir assist in the rendition of 
the services of the Church and Sunday School. 

BETHANY, WEST READING 

>^^N MAY 2, 1886, the West Reading Lutheran Mission 
flpJ Sunday School was organized by H. M. M. Richards, 
superintendent of Trinity Lutheran Sunday School, 
Reading, Pa., in the public school building on Chestnut street 
above Second street. Jerome C. Lengel was the first super¬ 
intendent, serving until February 1, 1891. During March, 
1891, E. C. Eben and A. W. Potteiger, a committee from 
Trinity Sunday School, took turns in looking after the 
school. The late George Zerbe was temporary superinten¬ 
dent during April, 1891. During May and part of June 1891, 
Samuel N. Potteiger had charge. On June 10, 1891, W. F. 
Wagner took charge, and remained the superintendent until 
November 23, 1895. During the first nine years it passed 


234 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


through many vicissitudes on account of the frequent 
changes of officers. In November, 1895, Charles F. Reed 
was sent from Trinity to succeed Mr. Wagner, who had 
resigned. The school at that time had an attendance of 
about fifty persons, divided into three departments,—pri¬ 
mary, secondary (three classes), and senior. The primary 
department was in charge of Mrs. Sophia Leader. The 
three classes in the secondary department were taught by 
Miss Anna A. Harner, who was also organist, Mrs. Hamil¬ 
ton Brown, Miss Florence Richards, and Charles Richards, 
also giving frequent aid. The senior department was super¬ 
vised by the superintendent. 



BETHANY CHURCH 

It was at this time that the school reached a turning 
point in its history. One of the first matters attended to 
after Mr. Reed had taken charge was the adoption of a more 
definite name. A number were suggested, among them 
being “Bethany,’’ which was unanimously agreed on. 

Another question, which gave those interested much 
concern was the hope that a chapel might be built, in which 
they could more properly worship. Frequent pleas were 
made to Trinity, and although the necessity seemed appar- 


235 









LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


ent, nothing was done. In order to give the members of the 
school some encouragement, at one of the meetings the 
superintendent suggested that a committee of three be 
appointed to make inquiries regarding the value of ground 
suitable for the erection of a chapel. Solomon J. Ringler, 
Harry Dungan, and Hamilton J. Brown constituted the 
committee. Within a week’s time, they reported having 
found a lot at a reasonable price. The offer was accepted, 
the committee was instructed to make the purchase and the 
lot 75 x 125 feet, situated on Franklin street below Fourth 
owned by the late George Frill, became the property of 
Bethany Lutheran Sunday School Association. 

Having acquired the site, the next move was to secure 
a building. Plans were examined and finally one submitted 
by Charles W. Bolton, Philadelphia, adopted. These plans 
were made for a chapel, consisting of an auditorium, a pri¬ 
mary, and a library room, all on the rear of the lot, provid¬ 
ing for the erection of the main church building on the 
front to the building line. Another appeal was made for 
aid to Trinity Lutheran Sunday School and through the 
earnest efforts of H. M. M. Richards, the latter organization 
pledged $1000.00, a check for which was given by Trinity’s 
treasurer, Harry Eisenbrown, when the corner-stone of 
Bethany chapel was laid. 

The chapel was built by Contractor L. H. Focht in a 
highly satisfactory manner, and was consecrated on Janu¬ 
ary 3, 1897. On Sunday, January 10, 1897, the Sunday 
School held its first session in the chapel. A congregation 
numbering about 50 persons was organized and incorpor¬ 
ated. Services were held by different local pastors until 
Rev. W. A. Snyder w r as called. He was installed as pastor in 
June, 1898, by the Rev. Dr. M. C. Horine of Reading. At 
this time the Sunday School showed the following enroll¬ 
ment: primary department 64; secondary, 36; senior 52; 
officers and teachers, 18; total, 170. 

The officers and teachers were:—superintendent, Chas. 
F. Reed; secretary, Walter W. Heist; assistant secretary, 
Miss Laura Moyer; treasurer, Thomas J. Brossman; super¬ 
intendent of primary department, Mrs. Charles F. Reed; 
assistants, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob S. Heft; organist, Miss Ida C. 


236 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

Phillips; cornetists, Frank Kalbach and Morris Hollenbach; 
librarians, Adam Bear, Charles Ellis, Daniel Bear; ushers, 
M. P. Brown and John Reinert; janitor, Albert Heist; 
teachers, Mrs. H. J. Brown and Miss Florence Richards. 

The school was well furnished with good teaching ma¬ 
terial and a library of practical books to which new vol¬ 
umes were added from time to time. With the publication 
of the Lutheran Graded Series, the same was introduced 
in its completeness. 

The congregation was united to form a parish with 
Trinity, at Wernersville, to which Christ (Yocum’s) was 
subsequently added. The pastorate of Rev. Snyder was 
terminated in February, 1904, when he was called elsewhere. 
Rev. Wm. 0. Laub, located at Freeport, Pa., and serving a 



NEW BETHANY. CORNESTONE LAID AUGUST 12, 1923 

congregation, Reading, re-upholstered, and a two-manual 
assumed charge on June 1, 1904. The installation service 
was conducted by the Rev. Dr. E. T. Horn, pastor of Trinity 
Church, Reading. The parish was re-arranged, Werners¬ 
ville being connected with Sinking Spring and Bethany with 
Yocum’s and Schwarzwald. During 1907, the debt remain¬ 
ing on the church was fully paid; the building was frescoed, 
the pews originally a donation from St. John’s Lutheran 
congregation, Reading, re-upholstered, an da two-manual 
Estey pipe organ with electric motor installed. The re- 
dedication services were held November 10, 1907, the Rev. 
Dr. Horn preaching the sermon. 

Since the Sunday School played such an important part 
in the development of the congregation, we would mention 
the officers who have served thus far:—Main Department, 
superintendent and assistants, J. S. Heft, C. A. Reese, Elmer 


237 































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

F. Wenrich, and I. E. Roth; Primary Department, Mrs. J. 
C. Leinbach, Mrs. Charles F. Brossman and Mrs. Amelia 
Potteiger; organists (Church and Sunday School), Miss Min¬ 
erva Eyrich, Miss Margaret Merkel and Mr. I. Austin 
Shaner. 

With a rapidly expanding borough, Bethany has been 
growing apace, until now the quarters are entirely inade¬ 
quate for the Sunday School, at least. Tangible steps have 
been taken which it is hoped will materialize in a completed 
building by the end of 1923. 



YOCUM’S CHURCH 


YOCUM’S, CUMRU TOWNSHIP 

following is a copy of a paper deposited in the 
if corner-stone of the church: “The record here de- 
posited in this corner-stone (being laid on Sunday, 
the 28th day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand 
Eight Hundred and Fifty-four) of the building called 


238 











LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


‘Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed 
Church; under the auspices of Almighty God, the members 
of the said congregations with a zeal and commendable 
liberality have founded this edifice for the perpetual wor¬ 
ship of their great Creator and Redeemer for themselves 
and posterity in the 78th year of American Independence,— 
Franklin Pierce being the President of the United States, 
William Bigler, Governor of the State of Pennsylvania, and 
J. Pringle Jones, President Judge of the Judicial District 
of the County of Berks. This great and glorious compact 
as a Union and Government being at peace with all the 
world, and in the full tide of prosperity, whilst the torch is 
lighted in Europe leading on to war and carnage among the 
various powers thereof. That upon this foundation might 
be erected an edifice that should long stand as a Temple 
of the Living God and be calculated to promote His glory, 
and good-will among all mankind. And when from its 
ruins, this record shall once more return to the light of day, 
may it find the people of these United States free, prosper¬ 
ous, and happy, and the knowledge of the Lord covering 
the earth as the waters cover the sea’, is the prayer of 
those who have aided in the good work.” 

The church edifice owes its erection to the liberality of 
the two congregations and the building committee consist¬ 
ing of:—Daniel Yocum, Joseph Hemig, Samuel Moser, Elias 
Fritz. The Rev. Wm. Pauli, being Reformed Pastor and 
the Rev. Reuben S. Wagner, Lutheran Pastor. The heirs 
and legatees of Henry Werner, deceased, of Cumru Town¬ 
ship, Berks County, Pa., generously donated the section of 
ground on which Christ Church is built, to a Board of Trus¬ 
tees, who by their mutual aid and assistance erected thereon 
a schoolhouse called “Angelica”, in the year of our Lord 

1822. The said Board of Trustees were privileged to open 
a burial place on this ground. The Rev. Thomas H. Lein- 
bach, minister of the German Reformed Church preached 
in the “Angelica” schoolhouse as early as the 27th of June, 

1823, and regularly from the above date until July 14, 1828 
every four weeks. He held “Kinderlehr” with the youth 
and administered the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in 
the said schoolhouse. 

Rev. Charles Augustus Pauli, was elected pastor as the 


239 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

successor of Rev. Leinbach and served from October 26, 1828 
for one year. Rev. William Amdyken suceceded Rev. Pauli. 
Both of these were pastors of the Reformed denomination. 

Peter Filbert, Esq., who preached in the Robeson 
(Plow) church until he laid aside the ministry in 1830, 
preached in the “Angelica” schoolhouse about this date. 
He was a Lutheran. Rev. Augustus L. Herman preached 
regularly every four weeks from 1838 to 1840, sometimes 
in the afternoon and again in the evening. Rev. William 
Pauli, Reformed, became the successor of Rev. Herman in 
1842 and preached regularly in the schoolhouse until the 
erection of the church edifice. 

The Rev. Reuben S. Wagner, Lutheran, preached for 
several years occasionally in the schoolhouse. So that for 
some years prior to the erection of the church building two 
ministers of the separate denominations, officiated here. 

The schoolhouse, octagonal in shape, stood nearly on 
the ground occupied by the church building. It was con¬ 
structed of stone and was torn down March 22, 1855, having 
become unfit for use. A brick structure a short distance 
from the church was erected the same year. This was 
subsequently destroyed by fire and a very beautiful modern 
school building now occupies the site. 

There had been no full congregational organization 
before the incipient steps were taken in 1853 for the build¬ 
ing of a church. At a meeting regularly called the follow¬ 
ing resolution was adopted: “Resolved that a subscription 
book be opened for the purpose of procuring subscriptions 
in order to build a union church, and as soon as the sum 
of |1400 or 81500 is subscribed, a meeting be called for the 
purpose of electing a building committee.” 

On February 12, 1854 an election was held and the 
before mentioned building committee elected. Moses Yocum 
was elected treasurer. Early in the following spring the 
work of building was begun. On May 28, 1854, being the 
Sixth Sunday after Easter the corner-stone was laid. Rev. 
S. K. Brobst of Allentown preached in German in the morn¬ 
ing; Rev. F.A. M. Keller of Reading, English in the after¬ 
noon, after which the corner-stone was formally laid by 
Rev. William Pauli, assisted by Revs. Wagner, Leidy, 
Brobst and Keller. 


240 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The completed building was dedicated on the 25th and 
26th of November, 1854. Rev. Good, Reformed, preached 
on Saturday morning, Rev. J. N. Hoffman, Lutheran, Satur¬ 
day afternoon. Rev. Carl Schaeffer, Lutheran, German on 
Sunday morning; Rev. F. A. M. Keller, Lutheran, English, 
Sunday afternoon, after which the Rev. Reuben S. Wagner 
solemnly consecrated the building to the service of the 
Triune God. 

The first Lutheran Communion service in the church 
was held by Rev. F. A. M. Keller, then pastor, on April 9 
(being Easter) 1855; while on the Good Friday preceding, a 
class of 24 persons was confirmed. The total number of 
communicants was 44. 

The pastorate of Rev. B. D. Zweizig began in 1864. 
On Ascension Day, May 30, 1889, the Quarto-centennial of 
this pastorate was observed with a fitting service. He 
continued to serve faithfully until 1900, when he resigned. 
The congregation was then united with Wernersville and 
West Reading and the Rev. W. A. Snyder, then pastor of 
the other two congregations, was called. He served until 
1904. The congregation was again shifted and a new parish 
formed consisting of Christ (Yocum’s), Schwarzwald and 
Bethany (West Reading) to which Rev. Wm. 0. Laub, was 
called and assumed charge in June, 1904. 

Within the last few years the building has been im¬ 
proved by a metal ceiling, the installation of an electric 
lighting and power system, and a large electric action Austin 
organ. 

Pastor Laub resigned early in 1923. The same be¬ 
came effective on Pentecost, May 20. 

SCHWARZWALD, EXETER TOWNSHIP 

/^I^HIS is one of the oldest of our congregations, although 
{F many of the details of its early history are involved 
in doubt. The building is located within a few hun¬ 
dred yards of the angle formed by the Oley pike and the 
road leading from Jacksonwald to Boyertown. It is near 
the centre of Exeter Township. 

Perhaps a few statements in regard to the organiza¬ 
tion of the three townships,—Oley, Exeter, and Amity will 


241 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



enable us to understand the position of points referred to 
better than almost anything else. In the spring of 1741 
the inhabtants of Oley applied to the court (A. S. Green, 
History of the Bright Family) at Philadelphia. The peti¬ 
tion was granted and the township surveyed and organized; 
but at least fifty families in the southwestern part had been 
omitted. Another petition was, therefore, sent by these, the 
matter examined, and the Township of Exeter formed, Sep¬ 
tember of the same year. Amity had received its name 
from the amity between the Swedes and the Indians in 1719. 
Although the formal act of ratification, upon a renewed 


S e H w A RZYVALD C11U R C H 


petition was made only in 1744. It may also be well to 
remember that H. M. Muhlenberg, in his report to Halle, 
sometimes plainly includes Molatton and the present Amity- 
ville in the name of Schwarzwald. According to the state¬ 
ment of Rev. U. P. Heilman in his “Church Paper,” 
March 1889, the Schwarzwald Church dates back to 
1745. Montgomery’s date of 1754 is therefore entirely 


'"V 

m 




242 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


too recent. In a small pamphlet issued by Rev. James 
R. Brown, pastor of the Reformed congregation at Schwarz- 
wald, it is said that “a note on the margin of the church 
record states that there seems to be good authority that 
the first church stood about 70 years.” As this first church 
was in use till 1808-10, this would place the building about 
1738-40. This according to Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg’s state¬ 
ments would be very near the correct date. In his second 
supplement to his Brief Report concerning church affairs, 
(Hal. Nach. Vol. I., Rev. Ed. p. 107), Muhlenberg speaks of 
the requests of a number of German congregations in 
Pennsylvania, who desire pastors, and mentions Schwarz- 
wald as one of them. He also says that the German Luth¬ 
erans there, in union with the Reformed, had built a church, 
without designating the exact time. Unfortunately this 
paper is without specific date. But it was published at 
Halle in 1746. The state of affairs then described could 
not possibly have been later than 1745. But the report 
says, it covers the period from the time of Muhlenberg’s 
arrival November 25, 1742. So that we think it would be 
a fair conclusion to say that the church was already there 
upon his arrival in Pennsylvania, or else was built between 
that time and the present report. From this we would 
therefore gather that the Lutherans at Schwarzwald in 
connection with the Reformed built a church prior to 1745; 
anywhere between 1738-45. 

It is agreed on all hands that this first church was a 
log structure and that it remained in use until 1810-11. 
It was then replaced by a building of stone, almost square, 
with galleries on three sides, a wineglass pulpit, and fur¬ 
nished with a pipe organ. The names of the building com¬ 
mittee are said to have been:—Jacob Levan, John Neikirch, 
Henry Boyer, and Henry Klose. The ministers in charge 
of the congregations at the time were Rev. H. A. Muhlen¬ 
berg, D. D,. Lutheran, and Rev. Wm. Pauli, Reformed. It 
was dedicated November 10, 1811. Whether the pastors 
were assisted by ministers from abroad is not stated. But 
we are informed that “Services were held in' German and 
English upon this occasion”. We are also told that there 
was considerable friction consequent upon the abandon¬ 
ment and demolition of the old church. We were informed 


243 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

by some of the Reformed themselves, that one of the lead¬ 
ing men on their side was so highly offended at the manner 
of disposing of the materials left on hand, in which the 
majority did not agree with him, that he selected and laid 
out a private family burial ground and refused to allow 
his bones to rest on the church’s property with the rest of 
his brethren. 

This building remained in use about 60 years. The 
present brick building, 50 x 78, with tower and a fine bell, 
and also furnished with a large pipe organ was erected in 
1870 at a cost of about $13,000.00. Joseph Levan, Benjamin 
S. Ritter, Simpson Garber, Joseph Kissling, and John 
Hiester were appointed a building committee at a meeting 
of the congregations held April 23, 1870, at which it was 
decided that it was not advisable to repair the old church, 
but to erect a new one, more convenient and suitable for 
the congregation. The committee was also empowered to 
secure subscriptions, obtain plans, secure estimate of costs, 
and whenever the subscriptions secured warrant, to proceed 
with the work. June 1st the work of tearing down the old 
building was begun, and on July 17th the corner-stone was 
laid. Revs. B. D. Zweizig and A. S. Leinbach, D. D., pas¬ 
tors, officiated. In the afternoon Dr. B. Bausman preached. 
The contents of the corner-stone, put in a leaden box, are a 
Bible, Luther’s Catechism, Heidelberg Catechism, bread 
(leavened) and wafers and a flask of wine—the same flask 
which was taken from the old corner-stone. The dedica¬ 
tion took place December 18 of the same year. On December 
17 at the preliminary services on Saturday, Revs. P. P. 
Hoffman and R. O. Wagner preached, while Revs. T. T. 
Iaeger, F. K. Huntzinger and A. S. Leinbach also took part 
in the services. On Sunday, December 18, Revs. B. D. Zwei¬ 
zig and A. S. Leinbach, D. D., pastors in charge, performed 
the act of dedication, and Rev. A. S. Leinbach, D. D., Reu¬ 
ben S. Wagner and J. J. Kuendig, D. D., preached. A life- 
size painting of Christ knocking at the door, the gift of 
Benjamin S. Ritter, was placed in the recess back of the 
pulpit in 1871. A new organ was procured in 1875. Exten¬ 
sive sheds were erected for the shelter of horses and ve¬ 
hicles. Adjoining the church there is a cemetery of over 
five acres controlled by an association incorporated Novem- 


244 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

ber 18, 1859; while on the opposite side of the church is the 
old “burial ground”. 

The following list of pastors as nearly as can be com¬ 
puted have served the Lutheran congregation:—a Mr. 
Streiter, unordained, acting as pastor, 1738 or 40 to 1743; 
Rev. Tobias Wagner, 1743 or 4 to 1752; Henry Borchard 
Gabriel Wordmann, May, 1753 to December, 1753; Daniel 
Schumacher, spring 1754 to September, 1755; vacant, and 
probably occasionally supplied by Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg, 
or through his agency, September, 1755 to December, 1757; 
Rev. John Christopher Hartwick, supply, December 1757 to 
April 1758; vacant, and supplied mostly by Dr. J. N. Kurtz, 
April 1758 to December 1758; Rev. Bernhardt Michael Hau- 
sihl, December 1758 to 1763; vacant, 1763-64; Rev. John 
Andrew Krug, April, 1764-Easter, 1771; vacant with occa¬ 
sional supplies, 1771; Rev. Frederick Niemeyer, 1772-73; 
Rev. Philip Jacob Grotz, part of 1774; Rev. Henry Moeller, 
August, 1775-April, 1777; Rev. F. A. C. Muhlenberg, supply, 
1777-78; Rev. Daniel Lehman, October, 1778-December, 
1780; supplies, January, 1781-July 1782; Rev. Charles 
Frederick Wildbahn, July 28, 1782 to November, 1796; Rev. 
Adam Nicholas Macard or Mackard, November, 1796-June, 
1797; vacant about 6 months; Rev. Daniel Lehman, Decem¬ 
ber 13, 1797 to April, 1801; vacant, 1801-03; H. A. Muhlen¬ 
berg, D. D., April 1803-June 1829; Rev. Jacob Miller, D. D., 
June, 1829-May, 1850; Rev. F. A. M. Keller, co-pastor since 
1842 and now alone during part of 1850; Rev. Reuben S. 
Wagner, 1850-60; Rev. J. J. Kuendig, 1861-62; vacant about 
a year; Rev. B. D. Zweizig, 1863-September, 1903; Rev. 
Wm. O. Laub, June, 1904 to—. 

What the original membership was it is impossible to 
state. Muhlenberg generally describes it as a weak con¬ 
gregation. But no comparison of present membership with 
that of the past could give any adequate idea of this con¬ 
gregation’s growth, since a number of congregations have 
been organized out of it, either entirely, or in part, as e. g., 
Amityville, almost entirely; Spies, in large part; Oley, also 
largely; and Friedensburg, in part. So then a Church which 
then may have numbered between 100 and 200 has devel¬ 
oped into five or six congregations with several thousand 
members. 


245 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Upon the territory of the congregation there are six 
Sunday Schools—all union—one being held in the church, 
and five in chapels, located at Oley Line, Stonersville, Fair- 
view, Lorane and St. Lawrence. 

At the services held now, the full liturgy is used, and 
the English language exclusively. 

In 1915, the choir, under the leadership of Mr. E. J. 
Becker, installed an electric motor and blower for the organ, 
and fitted out the church with electric lights at a cost of 
over $300.00. 



ST. LAWRENCE SUNDAY SCHOOL CHAPEL 


The year 1917, being the 400th anniversary of the Re¬ 
formation, was considered an opportune time for a Jubilee 
celebration by the congregation. There being much uncer¬ 
tainty as to the exact date of the organization of the con¬ 
gregation, this was conservatively estimated as being the 
180th anniversary, and it was so designated. The follow¬ 
ing anniversary services were held:—Saturday evening, 
July 28th, a Confessional Service conducted by the pastor; 
Sunday morning, Holy Communion, the sermon being 


246 













LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


preached by the Rev. Dr. H. A. Weller, president of the 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania; Sunday afternoon, Dr. Weller 
delivered a masterful address on “The Loyal One”, Rev. 
F. K. Huntzinger, and Rev. J. L. Rousch, Reformed pastor, 
extended greetings; at 6 P. M., a Memorial Service was 
held at the circle in the cemetery, the Rev. W. H. Myers, of 
Reading, delivering the address; at 8 P. M., Holy Com¬ 
munion was again administered, the Rev. M. L. Zweizig, 
son of the late Rev. B. D. Zweizig, former pastor, preaching 
the sermon. Monday evening, Rev. M. H. Stettler, and 
Mr. E. S. Wertz, both of Reading, delivered addresses. 
Tuesday evening, Rev. Dr. N. R. Melhorn and Rev. J. W. 
Early delivered addresses. On Wednesday evening, Mr. 
George M. Jones, Esq., of Reading, made the closing address, 
very fittingly summing up the whole celebration by speak¬ 
ing on “The Joy of Our Christian Faith.” There were two 
special features on Sunday afternoon:—The presentation 
of an American flag to the congregation by the local P. 0. 
S. of A. Camp, this having a special significance in view 
of the great war being waged in Europe; and the unveiling 
of a crayon portrait of a former pastor, Rev. B. D. Zweizig. 
After a few remarks by the pastor, a grand-daughter of 
Rev. Zweizig, Miss Mary Zweizig unveiled the picture. 

These donations deserve special mention:—The picture 
with frame, Mr. John Strunk, photographer of Reading; a 
pair of brass altar vases, Mrs. John F. Lutz; a set of four 
silver offering plates paid for by the voluntary contribu¬ 
tions of a number of members. The pastor’s robe is the 
gift of the Women’s Missionary Society; later on a brass 
cross was placed on the altar by the children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Morgan Althouse in loving memory of their mother. 

SALEM, ALSACE TOWNSHIP 

church is located several miles from the town of 
j Temple. Through Rev. Thomas T. Iaeger, the first 
Lutheran pastor, it became best known as Shalter’s 
Church. It was erected in 1860. The corner-stone was 
laid April 19, and the church was dedicated October 24 of 
the same year. It was a two-story stone structure. A num¬ 
ber of years ago the basement was removed and a gallery 


247 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


added. The church will hold about 500 people. Dr. Beit- 
leman (Bydelman) first set apart a burying ground of two 
acres in 1790, which has since been considerably enlarged. 

The congregation was founded by members of the Spies 
congregation, both Lutheran and Reformed, whose homes 
at the time, in connection with the Clymer (Mt. Laurel) 
furnace, were rather far removed from Spies’ church. 
Among the prominent organizers were Benjamin Shalter, 
Gottfried Lutz, Samuel Schmehl, Augustus Schmehl, Jacob 



SALEM, SHALTER’S CHURCH 

Snyder, Jacob Hinkle, Christian Schildt, John Schildt, Wil¬ 
liam Clymer, Lewis Keller, Simpson Becker, Amos Becker, 
Daniel Becker, John Heckman, William Heckman, Beneville 
Delp, Jacob Labe, Jacob Gass, Daniel Bernhardt, Jacob 
Trener, Ephraim Snyder and Jacob Snyder. 

Benjamin Shalter donated the land upon which the 
church is built and additional ground. Many friends volun¬ 
teered to work as masons, carpenters, etc. The cash out- 


248 














LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

lay was something like S2000.00. The building committee 
consisted of Benjamin Shalter, Daniel Bernhardt, Samuel 
Schmehl, and John Schildt. The chief carpenters were Levi 
Keller and Louis Schmehl. In 1922 the properties were 
valued at $10,000.00. 

The first Church Council consisted of four trustees: 
Christian Schildt, Jacob Hinkel, Benjamin Noll, Benneville 
Delp; four elders, Jacob Gass, Louis Keller, Amos Becker, 
Amos Schmehl; and four deacons, David Weisner, Jonas 
Keller, Henry Noll, Abraham Keller. The collector was 
Franklin Schmehl; the treasurer, Jacob Trener. 

The constitution of the Church, written in very large 
beautiful German, is in the keeping of the present (1922) 
treasurer, Wellington Becker, Bernharts, Pa. 

The joint membership, Lutheran and Reformed, at the 
time of organization was about 100 members. There was 
a joint treasury, Jacob Trener was the first treasurer. 

The first Lutheran pastor was the Rev. Thomas T. 
lager and the first Reformed pastor, the Rev. Isaac Miese. 
The congregation grew rapidly under Rev. Iaeger, who was 
pastor for about 25 years, except that Rev. Lampe supplied 
the charge for about 2 years for him. The Rev. Conrad 
Isaac Kueding succeeded the Rev. Thomas T. Iaeger. Rev. 
Dr. Brownmiller served the charge with great ability for 15 
years. Since Dr. Brownmiller’s resignation a number of 
Lutheran pastors filled short pastorates, or supplied. 
Among them were, Dr. Charles C. Boyer, who confirmed 
two classes of catechumens, Rev. W. K. Fisher, Rev. Luther 
Brownmiller, and Rev. Jacob W. Bittner. 

The Rev. Mabry Herbein, the present Reformed pas¬ 
tor, has served since 1908. 

A flourishing Sunday School has been kept up in con¬ 
nection with the congregation from the beginning. Among 
the faithful superintendents were Mr. Dolby, Benjamin 
Shalter, Captain Frank Schmehl, John Gift, Ireneus Shal¬ 
ter, Edgar Seiber, Miss Mamie Shalter, and the present 
incumbent, Mr. William Noll. 

The musical services of the congregation have for many 
years been in charge of the present efficient organist, Mr. 
Moyer. 


249 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


GRACE, SHILLINGTON 

ECORDS show that Rev. Z. H. Gable conducted serv¬ 
ices regularly every four weeks in the evening at 
Shillington. These services were conducted in a 
union church on New Holland avenue of that borough. 


R 


GRACE CHURCH, 


SHILLINGTON 


These services were later discontinued and the building 
bought by Immanuel Reformed congregation. 

Lutheran services were conducted in Shillington, then 
called Edison by Rev. M. H. Stettler on January 14, 1900. 



250 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

They were held in a second-floor store room and 61 were 
present. This was continued as a preaching point only until 
January 31, 1901. In the same year Rev. F. F. Bueremeyer, 
D. D., was called by the Mission Board of the Ministerium 
of Pennsylvania to meet with the Lutherans of Shillington 
(Edison) and form a congregation. The first recorded min¬ 
utes are under the date of June 30, 1902. The names of the 
first Church Council are John Strunk, Joseph Naugle, Albert 
Foltz, James Becky, Amandus Leibold, William H. Leibold, 
Aaron F. Naugle and Morris Schaeffer. 

The ground on which the present church building was 
erected, being 65 by 170 feet on the northwest corner of 
Broad and Church streets, was the gift of Dr. and Mrs. J. 
B. Sterley. The membership of the congregation in 1902 
was 21. A building, 30 x 60 feet, of brick, was erected by 
this small band of Lutherans, the corner-stone being laid 
on July 13, 1902. On August 11, 1902 by decree of Judge 
James Ermentrout, the charter was approved and the con¬ 
gregation incorporated under the title of “Grace Evange¬ 
lical Lutheran Church of Edison, Pennsylvania”. The build¬ 
ing was completed at a cost of $3480 and on May 10, 1903 
was consecrated. The debt at the time of the consecration 
was $2600. Dr. Bueremeyer continued to labor until the 
latter part of 1909. 

Rev. J. H. Neiman of Palmyra, whose name was sug¬ 
gested by the Mission Board, was duly elected and on May 
1, 1910, was installed. Because of ill health, Rev. Neiman 
was forced to bring his labors to a close on January 2, 
1913. Neighboring pastors supplied the Means of Grace 
until Rev. R. W. Hufford, D. D., was unanimously elected 
as pastor on May 14, 1914. Dr. Hufford was installed on 
July 5, 1914. On April 25, 1919 the last payment was made 
on the mortgage and the church was free of debt. 

Dr. Hufford continued as pastor of the Reading Sub¬ 
urban parish comprising Redeemer, Oakbrook and Grace 
until July 6, 1919, when on account of ill health he was 
obliged to discontinue pastoral work. Rev. John L. Deaton 
served as supply pastor until the next pastor was called. 

By action of the Reading Conference at the fall meet¬ 
ing in 1919 the formation of a new parish was recom- 


251 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


mended. The name of this new parish was to be the Shill¬ 
ing-ton parish, and it was to comprise St. John’s, Gibraltar; 
Robeson, Plowville; and Grace, Shillington. The parish 
was formed and Grace no longer received financial support 
from the Mission Board of the Ministerium of Pennsyl¬ 
vania. 

On March 7, 1920, Corson C. Snyder, a senior at the 
Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia, supplied each of the 
congregations of this new parish and on April 4, it was 
unanimously voted to extend him a call. Rev. G. D. Druck- 



GR ACE PARSONAGE 


enmiller, president of the Reading Conference, on June 27, 
1920, installed the present pastor. Rev. Druckenmiller 
was assisted by Rev. James L. Becker, D. D., of Christ 
Church, Towamencin, Pa. 

On September 21, 1920 at a special meeting of the 


252 












































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Church Council it was decided that Grace congregation 
purchase the house and lot, 60 x 170 feet, situated on the 
north side of Broad street, from C. W. and Annie Fass- 
nacht for a parsonage, at a cost of $6000. 

The congregation has an active Ladies’ Aid and Mis¬ 
sionary Society; a Junior and Senior Luther League; and 
a Sunday School Association composed of the officers, 
teachers and adult members of the Sunday School. During 
the summer of 1922 Grace congregation held a Daily Vaca¬ 
tion Bible School for a period of five weeks. The total en¬ 
rollment was 149 and the average attendance was 90. The 
present membership of the congregation is 171. The aver¬ 
age attendance at regular services during the present pas¬ 
torate is 130, for Lenten services 59. The largest attend¬ 
ance was 274. 

ROBESON, ROBESON TOWNSHIP 

records of Robeson Church, then called Forest 
fl Church, in Robeson Township, Berks County, Penn- 
sylvania, date back to the year 1770 and inform us 
that the organization had already existed three years. We 
have no account of the building of the first church nor are 
we told when the congregation was organized but we have 
clear evidence that it existed as early as 1767. 

The- first pastor of whom we have any record was Rev. 
William Kurtz, who labored here from 1770 to 1779. He 
probably effected this organization and may have con¬ 
tinued beyond 1779. He was educated at Halle, Germany, 
and came over here at the solicitation of his brother, the 
Rev. J. Nicholas Kurtz. 

Rev. Kurtz was followed in 1781 by Rev. T. F. Illing 
who preached for 16 years. In 1799 Rev. John Plitt took 
charge and continued his services until 1812 when his 
health failed and he went into the lumber business in 
Columbia. Synod was Requested that PeteY Hilbert, a 
student be allowed to become their pastor. The request 
was granted and Rev. Hilbert served the congregation for 
17 years. He lived at New Holland. Rev. Hilbert was suc¬ 
ceeded by J. W. Reichert (Richards) who subsequently 
preached in Trinity Church, Reading. He left at the end 


253 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


of three years for the congregation at Trappe, Montgom¬ 
ery County, Pa. 

The congregation extended a call to Rev. C. F. Welden, 
who continued from 1835 to 1838, and was succeeded by 



ROBESON. BLOW CHI ROM 


Rev. C. P. Miller who preached from 1838 to 1842, and upon 
his resignation was followed by Rev. Marcus Harpel. Rev. 
Harpel received a call from Easton, Pa., and left the con¬ 
gregation in charge of his brother, Rev. Jeremiah Harpel 


254 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


in 1845, who continued until 1848 when Rev. Thomas T. 
Iaeger took the field. After Rev. Iaeger’s resignation in 
1849 the congregation was regularly supplied by Rev. J. R. 
Focht who in 1850 organized and built St. James’ church 
at Geigertown and those members of Robeson Church who 
lived in that vicinity united with St. James’ Church. 

Rev. F. A. M. Keller was pastor from 1851 to 1864. 
From January 1, to July 1, 1864, Rev. Henry S. Miller 
served the congregation. From September, 1864, to Sep¬ 
tember, 1865, Rev. Aaron Finfrock served the congrega¬ 
tion. Rev. Finfrock was succeeded by Rev. F. T. Hoover, 
who was not ordained until November following and 
preached his last sermon in Robeson church on November 
25, 1866. Rev. B. D. Zweizig frequently supplied this con¬ 
gregation. 

On the twenty-third of June, 1867, Rev. D. K. Humbert 
took the field and remained pastor until the fall of 1872. 
Rev. Zenas H. Gable was elected June 29, 1873 and took 
charge of the field August 17, 1873. Rev. Gable served 
this congregation until October 17, 1909. Rev. Charles G. 
Heffner supplied on March 6, 1910 and was elected pastor, 
taking charge of the work on July 10. Rev. Heffner con¬ 
tinued as pastor until the fall of 1919. By action of the 
- Reading Conference in September, 1919, it was recom¬ 
mended that this congregation together with St. John’s, 
Gibraltar, and Grace, Shillington, be formed into a new 
parish to be known as the Shillington parish. Student 
Corson C. Snyder supplied on March 7, 1920 and on April 4 
was unanimously elected as pastor. Rev. Snyder was in¬ 
stalled on June 27, 1920, by Rev. G. D. Drunckenmiller, 
assisted by Rev. James L. Becker, D. D., of Christ Church, 
Towamencin, Pa. 

The first deacons of whom there is any account were 
Paul Geiger and John Hoyer, 1767 to 1770. The teacher of 
their school was Michael Walter. From 1770 to 1773 the 
deacons were Conrad Mohr and Melchior Schweitzer. 

The church was at first known as “The Forest,” but 
now as “Robeson”, but popularly, “The Plow”. This church 
was originally built for a Lutheran congregation exclusively. 
In a paper drawn up in 1779 the members declare that they 


255 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


have built a house of divine worship for a Protestant Luth¬ 
eran congregation and for none other minister or preacher. 
So the deed of 1792 is given to Michael Hoffman and John 
Moyer in trust for the Lutheran congregation and when 
additional ground was added in 1817 it was deeded to 
Michael Westley, John Ammon and William Wamsher in 
trust for the Lutheran Church. When the building was 
erected in 1810 the Reformed also assisted and have used 
it ever since as a house of divine worship conjointly with 
the Lutherans. They were however, erroneously called 
“Presbyterians” and a resolution drawn up March 23, 1849 
reads, “Resolved that no minister be allowed to preach in 
this church except the Lutheran and Presbyterian”. 

In 1810 Robeson church and schoolhouse were built by 
money raised through a lottery, authorized by law. 5000 
tickets at three dollars each were sold. The amount to be 
raised was S3000. 

On September 19 and 20, 26 and 27, 1874 the centen¬ 
nial was held during the pastorate of Rev. Gable. Rev. 
B. D. Zw T eizig preaching the sermon on Jeremiah 6:16. 
Other sermons were preached by Rev. Dr. Schmucker and 
Rev. Gable. 

April 15, 1888, a memorial service was held in the old 
church prior to tearing it down to build a new one. Rev. 
D. K. Humbert preached in the forenoon followed by an 
address by Rev. M. L. Fritch, Reformed pastor. In the 
afternoon Rev. Henry Mosser of Reading, preached, followed 
by an address by Rev. Z. H. Gable. Services thereafter were - 
held in the schoolhouse and grove. The corner-stone laying 
of the present building occurred on June 23 and 24, 1888. 
On February 10, 1889 the basement was dedicated. On 
February 17, 1889, the Holy Communion was administered 
for the first time in the new edifice. May 25, 1890 the 
new church building was consecrated. The present building 
is 70 feet long and 46 feet wide and easily seats 500 people. 
It was erected at a total cost of S14,849.62. The building 
is constructed of stone. 


256 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



ST. JOHN’S, GIBRALTAR CHURCH 

ST. JOHN’S, GIBRALTAR 

first structure was built of plain stone and was 
il located where the present church is situated. The 
ground upon which the present church stands, in¬ 
cluding about half of the present graveyard was sold by 
Elias Retge (Redcay) to Valentine Geiger and Herman 
Umstead in trust for use of such Christian congregations 
as should contribute to the maintenance of a graveyard 
and a church to be erected theron. The original plot was 
one acre and ten perches and the consideration for the 
same, five shillings. The deed is dated April 29, 1791, 
and states that the ground had been used for some years 
past by Valentine Geiger and Herman Umstead and others 
of Robeson township. 

In 1809 a church was built. It is not known who was 
instrumental in the erection, inasmuch as all the documents 
besides the deed were mislaid or destroyed. This original 
edifice stood unaltered until the enlargement of the church 


257 


















LUTHERANS IN BERKS 


COUNTY 


and the erection of the tower in 1892. Although the or¬ 
ganization claiming control of the church was nominally 
Lutheran and Reformed, yet Episcopalian and Baptist min¬ 
isters also preached in the church. The opposition to Sun¬ 
day Schools caused much trouble and local feeling in 1850. 
In 1851 the first charter was obtained. In this charter the 
property was vested in the Lutheran and Reformed con¬ 
gregations. The church was to be used solely by ordained 



INTERIOR VIEWS 

and regular clergymen of these denominations. The prop¬ 
erty was declared to belong exclusively to the two congre¬ 
gations. The trustees named in the charter are as follows: 
Jacob R. Hill, Benjamin H. Hill, Henry Moyer, Philip Hartz, 
Benjamin Clouser and John Haws. John Haws and R. B. 
Seidel were trustees in 1884. In 1884 the Reformed con- 


258 



























LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


gregation numbered 125. The Rev. J. V. George, Ph. D., is 
the present Reformed pastor. 

Rev. Peter Filbert is the first pastor of whom there is 
any knowledge, as serving the Lutheran congregation of 
St. John’s. Between this pastorate and that of Rev. R. S. 
Wagner, 1854-1860, the following served, J. W. Richards, 
Jeremiah Harpel, James Schock and J. A. Brown. Rev. F. 



BEFORE REMODELING 

A. M. Keller served from 1860-1864, and was followed by F. 
F. Hoover who entered on his field on November 14, 1865 
and labored but a few months. 

Rev. D. K. Humbert was pastor from 1867-1872, fol¬ 
lowed by Rev. Zenas H. Gable from 1873-1909. It was 
during this pastorate that the church building was improved 
and enlarged. The dimensions are 45 by 70 feet. 

Rev. Willis F. Deibert served as pastor from 1910- 
1920. Rev. Corson C. Snyder was installed on June 27, 1920 
and became the pastor of the Shillington parish, com¬ 
prising Grace, Shillington; Robeson, Plowville; and St. 
John’s, Gibraltar. This action was recommended by the 


259 












LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

Reading Conference at its fall meeting in 1919 and entered 
into by the various congregations shortly thereafter. 

Rev. Gable preached every four weeks and received a 
salary of SI50 a year. Rev. Deibert preached once every 



FORMEH INTERIOR 

two weeks and received $300 a year. During the years 
1916-1918, the “St. John’s Burial Fund for Maintenance of 
the Old Cemetery” was established. This has grown to 
$4500.00 at the present time. 


260 





















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


ST. LUKE’S, SHOEMAKERSVILLE 

HE recently (1921) incorporated borough of Shoe- 
makersville in which this church is located, derives its 
name from one of the first settlers of this community, 
Henry Schumacher. The old stone homestead stands within 
a hundred feet east from the covered bridge crossing the 




ST. LUKE’S, SIIOEMAKJERSVILLE CHURCH 


Schuylkill river and is still in a fine state of preservation. 
At the eastern extremity of this borough, on a hill noted 
for its commanding view, stands the Shoemakersville union 
church. It is about 3 city blocks distant from the nearest 
residential border of the town. 



261 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Sometime after the founding of the village there devel¬ 
oped a longing in the hearts of many of its citizens to have 
a Church. The greater number of its dwellers were mem¬ 
bers of distant and old-established Churches of Zion’s, Wind¬ 
sor Castle, Belleman’s and St. Michael’s. To supply this 
long-felt want a number of the Lutheran and Reformed 
people of this community assembled as early as 1852 in 
order to discuss the advisability of organizing a Union 
Church. However, no definite action was taken until the 
following year, April 1, 1853, when an organization was 
effected to be known as “Die Deutsche Gemeinschaftliche 
Schumachersville Kirche.” 

This title is conspicuously inscribed on a marble block 
inserted in the outer wall above the front entrance of the 
church. In addition to the German title inscribed on the 
outer wall of the edifice, the Church bore three other dis¬ 
tinctive names. Shortly after the erection of the edifice 
the Church was known as the “Shoemakersville Church.” 
until 1903, when it was reported to synod as “St. Mark’s 
Church.” This name was attached to the Church until 
1907 when the name was again changed and from hence¬ 
forth it appeared on the report to synod as “St. Luke’s 
Church/’ 

Two acres of ground were secured from Joshua Reber 
to be appropriated for a church building and burial ground. 
A building committee was appointed consisting of the fol¬ 
lowing: Solomon B. Seidel and Daniel Unger, Lutheran; 
David Z. Becker and Isaac H. Mohr, Reformed. The cor¬ 
ner-stone was laid May 29, 1853. We have no knowledge 
of its contents, nor who were the officiating ministers. 
The= date of the consecration of the edifice is not known 
and apparently was not reported to synod but we presume 
that it may have been coincident with the inception of 
the first Lutheran pastorate, that of Rev. T. T. Iaeger, 
October 22, 1854, and at which time also the first Lutheran 
Church Council was installed as follows: Daniel Unger and 
Solomon B. Seidel, Trustees; Benjamin B. Seidel and Samuel 
Step, Elders; Isaac Unger and Ru. Weidman, Deacons. 

The church is built of plain red brick and its dimen¬ 
sions are 40 x 50 feet. It was originally erected without 


262 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

a cellar or a belfry. It contains a front hallway which is 
accessible by a double front door and two side entrances. 
Within the hall are two doorways leading into the main 
auditorium and two opposite stairways leading to the two 
side galleries. The pulpit occupies the southern end of 
the interior and on the rear of the pulpit is a recess con¬ 
taining the beautiful painting of “Jesus, the Good Shep¬ 
herd.” The seating capacity of the church is 300. 

The actual cost of the church building is not definitely 
known. The funds were raised by subscriptions which 
were payable on three or more installments. In order to 
give the building fund an impetus the members of the 
building committee subscribed $100.00 each. There ap¬ 
peared to be only a few large subscriptions but a very 
large and extensive list of more than 900 small ones. 
The fund collected in this manner aggregated $2712.00. 

At the first Lutheran Communion May 13, 1855, 64 
persons participated, including 12 catechumens,—the first 
class confirmed as members of the Lutheran congregation. 
Their names appear as follows: Richard Seidel, Jacob Betz, 
Aaron Seaman, Elizabeth Heckman, Louisa Lutz, Sophia 
Becker, Elizabeth Jones, Lehny Unger, Elizabeth Reber, 
Barbara Smith, Elizabeth Rubrecht and Elizabeth Heck¬ 
man. The record of the first baptism is that of Venesa, 
daughter of Adam and Lydia Heckman, August 23, 1854. 

The church is the happy possessor of a splendid pipe 
organ which was secured and installed in the northern gal¬ 
lery of the church in 1873. In 1890 the organ was rebuilt 
by Obadiah Unger of Reading, Pa. The instrument is still 
rendering excellent service under the care and skill of the 
present organist, Miss Kathryn Mengel. In 1901 the 
church’s tower was built which added considerably to the 
beauty, and architectural finish of the edifice. At the same 
time a bell was also secured and installed. The cost of the 
tower’s construction was $550.00 and that of the bell was 
$250.00. 

The establishment of the cemetery adjoining the 
church premises on the east had been coincident with the 
erection of the church edifice. The inscriptions on the old 
tombstones are still legible. At various times the cemetery 


263 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


has been improved and enlarged. It covers about four 
acres. In 1893 the church began to divide a portion of the 
ground into burial lots which were offered to the Church 
members at S12.00 and to the non-members at 824.00 per 
lot. On November 2. 1914 the cemetery board was incor¬ 
porated. Several previous efforts were made but without 
success. The corporation is known as “St. Luke's Lutheran 
and Reformed Cemetery of Shoemakersville. Pa.” Five 
trustees who shall be members in good standing in said 
Church shall constitute the board of directors. Its first 
board of trustees was: B. M. Gruber, Esq.. B. S Moll. W. K. 
Smith, J. W. Rubright and A. A. Baver. 

During the present pastorate the church has enjoyed 
extensive improvements. The old oil lamps were replaced 
by a direct electric light system. The former heating sys¬ 
tem consisting of twin stoves was changed to a steam-heat¬ 
ing plant. The entire edifice was repainted: its interior 
walls were refrescoed and the woodwork re varnished and 
beautified; new carpet was laid in the aisles and the chan¬ 
cel; a gold cross, vestments for the altar, an individual 
communion service and a piano for the Sunday School were 
placed. All of these things were promptly paid for. 

The Rev. J. K. Stoudt has served the Reformed con¬ 
gregation since 1912. 

The pastors who served the Lutheran congregation 
are as follows: Revs. Thomas T. Iaeger. October 22. 18-54- 
Xovember 21, 1858; John H. Eberman, January 29. 1859- 
April 14, 1861; Benjamin E. Kramlich, May 12. 1861-March 
2, 1865; S. S. Klein, April 2, 1865-August, 1867: Thomas 
T. Iaeger, August 25, 1867-July 25. 1880; C. K. Drumheller. 
August 22, 1880-March 25, 1883; Thomas T. Iaeger. supply. 
April 1. 1883-May 25, 1884; 0. D. Miller, June 21. 1884- 
October 31, 1896; Z. H. Gable, supply, November 1. 1896- 
June, 1897; H. C. Kline, June 23, 1897-June 23. 1901: D. G. 
Gerberich, July, 1901-February 1, 1912; C. C. Boyer and 
others, supplies, February, 1912-October. 1913; W. K. 
Fisher, December 1, 1913 to—. 

In October, 1913, a new parish was formed comprising 
Windsor Castle, St. Paul's, Windsor Township and Frieden's. 
Lenhartsville, to which Pastor Fisher received and accepted 
a unanimous call. 


264 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

.St. Luke’s has given at least one son to the Gospel 
Ministry, viz., the Rev. William B. Smith, of Reading. 

ZION’S, PERRY TOWNSHIP 

ION’S Union Church stands on the crest of a ledge in 
the extreme northern section of Perry township, 
originally a part of Windsor township. It is two 
and one-half miles north of Shoemakersville. 

The Lutherans of this community were originally con- 





ZION’S, WINDSOR CASTLE CHURCH 

nected with the Moselem Church, which is an exclusively 
Lutheran Church. Certain misunderstandings arose 
amongst the members of the Moselem congregation which 
caused a number of them to withdraw and join hands with 
the Reformed people of this section, the result of which 
was the organization of a Union Church. This step was 
probably taken in 1759. 

As early as 1760, after the organization of the Union 
Ghurch was effected, a movement to erect a house of wor- 



265 







LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


ship in this immediate vicinity was started. It is said that 
Mr. Conrad Kerchner, a man fairly well educated, was com¬ 
missioned to go to Philadelphia and obtain from the colo¬ 
nial authorities (the Penns) a grant of land. His mission 
was not in vain for he succeeded in securing forty acres, 
originally donated by William Penn, for church and school 
purposes in this vicinity. 

The land was secured and the site selected at the foot 
of the hill opposite the organist's or sexton’s home where 
in 1761 the first church was built. It was an humble little 
log structure. It is impossible to give the dates of the cor¬ 
ner-stone laying or consecration of the church. 

Indeed Rev. J. A. Krug began to record ministerial 
acts. The first baptism recorded is that of a child of Jacob 
and Magdalene Schuhmacher, 1762. But there is no record 
of any minutes up to January 26, 1867 when the Church 
Council passed a resolution to record from henceforth all 
its minutes. However, it appears that the first church was 
soon found to be too small for the growing congregation 
and in 1771 a larger edifice of stone was erected on the site 
of the first church. The building committee consisted of 
Conrad Kerchner and George Hauer (Lutheran); Jeremiah 
Schappel, Eberhard Schappel and Johannes Herd (Re¬ 
formed). The names of the building committee were cut 
on stones used in the stone structure and are still found in 
the wall of the cemetery near the old church site. 

In 1804 the joint congregations decided to erect the 
third building. For some reason or other it was reared on 
the more elevated ground on the hillside within a stone’s 
throw north from the old site. Additional land was pur¬ 
chased for this purpose and also for a burial ground, adjoin¬ 
ing the church lot. The exact date of the corner-stone lay¬ 
ing is not given but it is supposed that it occurred in May, 
1804. It was a substantial building of brick which were 
burned on the church’s own land. The exact dimensions are 
not given but the seating capacity was about 400. In course 
of years the church again was found to be too small, espe¬ 
cially on communion occasions, when it was not an unusual 
experience for many of the communicants to find access to 
the church and altar only for their respective commun¬ 
ions. 


266 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The interior of the church presented a rather quaint 
appearance. It was almost a perfect imitation of St. Paul’s 
church, Windsor township. It contained three arched door¬ 
way, balconies, straight high-backed pews with doors 
attached and an old-fashioned pulpit, shaped like a tulip. 
The building committee consisted of the regularly elected 
trustees,—George Hinkel and Peter Gardner (Lutheran) ; 
Andrew Smith and Peter Schappel (Reformed). About 
1826 a pipe organ was installed in the church. John Starr 
was appointed organist. He served for 40 successive years, 
1826-1866. He was succeeded by Daniel Saul in 1866 who 
served for 20 successive years, 1866-1886. As early as 
1860 the church began to show age. After extensive re¬ 
pairs, including the refitting of pews and pulpit, the church 
was reconsecrated. On this occasion Rev. Joshua Iaeger 
(Lutheran), and Rev. J. G. Dubbs (Reformed), both of 
Allentown were the speakers. In 1886 an iron fence was 
erected in front of the church lot which later was replaced 
by the present stone wall, running the full length of the 
cemetery along the public highway. 

On March 23, 1901, permission was granted by the 
Church Council to organize a Sunday School and meet with¬ 
in its walls. Up to this time the Sunday Schools were 
largely held in the schoolmaster’s house (now the sexton’s 
home), and in the schoolhouses of the vicinity. The cus¬ 
tom of quarterly instead of the semi-annual communion 
was begun June 30, 1901 and October 27, 1901 the Church 
Council purchased a beautiful communion set. 

The first church stood 10 years, the second 33 years 
and the third 104 years. On Ascension Day, June 1, 1905, 
the one hundredth anniversary was celebrated with appro¬ 
priate exercises. The pastors, Revs. H. C. Kline (Lutheran) 
and J. S. Bartholomew (Reformed), officiated. The 
speakers were, Lutheran: Revs. William F. Bond, George 
Seaman, J. J. Cressman, R. B. Lynch, F. K. Bernd, D. G. 
Gerberich and O. S. Scheirer; Reformed: Revs. Phillip VolL 
mer, D. D., George W. Gerhard, and J. W. Kershner. 

The old church, after having weathered the storms for 
more than a hundred years, outgrew its usefulness in spite 
of frequent renovations. At different times efforts were 


267 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


made to devise plans for the erection of a new church. In 
1892 a vote was taken and resulted in 47 ballots cast for 
and 31 against a new church. Though the majority, favor¬ 
ing the project of a new church, was small, a committee 
was appointed which succeeded in securing a subscription 
fund of $6000.00. This fund, however, appeared to the con¬ 
gregation insufficient to warrant the building of a new 
church. In 1901 this same question was again agitated 
but without any definite action. A third and successful 
effort was made April 28, 1907 when the Church Council 
resolved to call a joint meeting of the congregations for 
Ascension Day, May 9, 1907. On this date the congrega¬ 
tions assembled and unanimously decided to build a new 
union church, and also appointed a committee to draw up 
a constitution and by-laws, which were unanimously 
adopted June 8, 1907, as presented by the committee. It 
was unanimously decided to erect the new church directly 
opposite the old church. The following building committee 
was unanimously appointed at this meeting,—Lutheran: 
Jacob Hoffman, Walter S. Loy and David G. Mengel; Re¬ 
formed: Jackson Rothermel and Jeremiah Schappel. The 
building committee was instructed to demolish the old 
church and use whatever material was suitable for the new 
structure. With a spirit of unity and earnestness the mem¬ 
bers of the church began the erection of the fourth church 
edifice. The excavation and the transportation of the 
greater portion of the building material was done gratu¬ 
itously by the individual members of the church. 

The corner-stone was laid with impressive ceremonies 
June 28, 1908, the pastors, Revs. H. C. Kline and J. S. Bar¬ 
tholomew officiating. A partial list of the contents of the 
corner-stone follows: a Bible; The Lutheran, Church Book, 
Catechism, Church Paper and Church Almanac; Reformed: 
Book of Worship, Catechism, Church Messenger and Church 
Almanac; wafers, bread and wine; the newly adopted con¬ 
stitution and by-laws; a list of the contributors to the build¬ 
ing fund; program of corner-'Stone laying, old v coins found • 
in the corner-stone of the former church; the “Reading 
Eagle” (English and German); the “Hamburg Item”; etc. 

Amid much rejoicing on the part of the members and 
pastors the new church was finally completed and conse- 


268 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


crated May 30, 1909. The pastors were assisted at the 
services of consecration by neighboring pastors and other 
clergymen who extended their respective greetings. 

The new church is a large and imposing structure built 
of red brick with a tower containing a fine-toned bell pre¬ 
sented by the Sunday School October 27, 1910. The inter¬ 
ior consists of the main auditorium and the Sunday School 
rooms which are communicating with upward sliding doors. 
Two large tiled vestibules lead into the auditorium and the 
Sunday School rooms. There are also a Primary room, a 
Bible class room, a Council room and a Pastor’s robing 
room. The chancel arrangement is strictly churchly. In a 
spaciously-built recess stands the altar upon which is a 
large cross of brass. The lectern, organ and choir loft are 
on the left and the pulpit and baptismal font on the right. 
The windows are art glass memorials. The church is 
lighted with electricity and heated with steam. The com¬ 
bined seating capacity of the main auditorium and the 
Sunday School rooms is 800. 

The total cost of the completed church edifice at the 
time of the consecration was $24,580.73, including value of 
service ($1,887.06) rendered by the various members. 
There remained an actual debt only of $2,470.35 on the fin¬ 
ished church. To-day the church property has an aggre¬ 
gated valuation of $100,000.00, and is free of debt. 

The new church had been without the use of a pipe 
organ until the year 1914 when the old organ which had 
rendered such excellent service for 75 years in the former 
church building was brought from its storage and rebuilt 
by E. E. Palm, of Reading, at a cost of $2,300.00. Practi¬ 
cally all of the original material was used in its reconstruc¬ 
tion with the exception of a few of the main pipes. This 
organ is now 100 years old and is hard to be surpassed for 
beauty of tone. The consecration services were in charge 
of the pastors, Revs. W. K. Fisher and W. L. Meckstroth, 
Lutheran and Reformed respectively. 

When America became involved in the “Great World 
Conflict” in 1918, 28 of the sons of Zion’s Union Church re¬ 
sponded to the country’s call. On the afternoon of May 12, 
1918 a service flag was placed above the altar. Two of the 


269 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


stars were soon replaced by gold ones respresenting the 
names of Oscar Long (Lutheran), and Harvey S. Schappel 
(Reformed) both of whom made the supreme sacrifice on 
the battle fields of France. The mortal remains of the 
former have found their final resting place in the Arling¬ 
ton cemetery, Virginia, and that of the latter in St. John’s 
cemetery, Hamburg, Pa. 

To the Church belongs a cemetery comprising about 
10 acres. The first burial ground was located at the foot 
of the hill surrounding the first and second church build¬ 
ings. Additional ground was procured from time to time. 
There is a record of such addition June 17, 1867 when 
measures were taken for the first time in the church’s 
history to divide a part of the cemetery into lots to be sold. 
However a certain part nearest the third church building 
was to be reserved for “free burial.” The new addition was 
“solemnly’’ dedicated November 23, 1867,—“no hucksters 
were permitted on or near the ground” on this occasion. 
In 1921 six additional acres were purchased and duly dedi¬ 
cated for burial purposes. 

A farm of 40 acres containing a residence which was 
originally the schoolhouse and a part of it the dwelling of 
the schoolmaster, (now the sexton’s home), a barn and 
shedding for 61 teams or automobiles are also the Church’s 
property. The old site of the third church building, sur¬ 
rounded by stately maple trees, was converted a few years 
ago into an excellent parking place for the worshiper’s 
automobile. 

The Church has a Bible School of which Alfred F. 
Baver, a deceased member of the Lutheran congregation 
had been the devoted and faithful superintendent for the 
envious period of 40 years, 1880-1920. The school and church 
have fittingly honored him by placing a window in the 
former’s room to his memory. Irvin Lengel, Jr., a former 
student of Muhlenberg College, is the present efficient 
superintendent. 

The Rev. W. L. Meckstroth has been pastor of the Re¬ 
formed congregation since February 1, 1912. 

The following have served the Lutheran congregation: 
Revs. Bernhard Michael Hausihl, 1759-1763; (it will be 


270 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTV 

noted that his pastorate began at least two years before 
the church was built); Daniel Schuhmacher, 1763-1765; 
John Andrew Krug, 1765-1771 (the first pastor to preach 
regularly); Daniel Schuhmacher, 1771-1775; Heinrich 
Moeller, 1775-1777; Daniel Lehman, 1778-1803; Daniel Leh¬ 
man and John Knoske (assitant), 1803-1810; John Knoske, 
1811-1816; Frederick Engel, 1817-1823; G. F. I. Iaeger, 
1823-1868; T. T. Iaeger, 1866-1883; Student Supply, 1883- 
1884; 0. D. Miller, 1884-1896; Z. H. Gable, Supply, 1896- 
1897; H. C. Kline, 1897-1910; D. G. Gerberich, M. H. Stet- 
ler, C. C. Boyer and others, supplies, 1910-1913; W. K. 
Fisher, December 1, 1913 to—. 

The Rev. Owen Reber ordained in 1888 and at present 
the pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, 
Pa., is a son of Zion’s. Luther Lengel, now, a student in 
Muhlenberg College, has the ministry in view. With much 
spiritual pride the congregation boasts of having one of 
its young daughters, sister Amy Baver, at present in train¬ 
ing in the Baltimore Lutheran Motherhouse of Deaconesses. 

ST. PAUL’S, WINDSOR TOWNSHIP 

church is located on the state road in Windsor 
if township, about two miles northeast of Hamburg. 

It is built on a long and level stretch of elevated 
ground. A small metal plate pressed into one of the stones 
of the corner church wall in 1908 by the U. S. geological 
survey bears this inscription: “Elevation above sea level 
568 feet.” 

Sometime prior to the year 1750 the early settlers, 
most of whom were Germans, found the mountains of this 
section. Here they began to build rude homes for them¬ 
selves. They also longed for a church. As the result of 
such yearning, the Lutheran settlers in this community 
after the year 1750 began to erect the first church which 
was built of logs. This was the result of the earnest labors 
of Revs. John A. Krug and Decker, two neighboring Luth¬ 
eran pioneer pastors. In the beginning it was an exclu¬ 
sively Lutheran Church and it is said that it remained such 
for the first 75 years of its existence. The church was 
dedicated November 6, 1756, as the “Lebanon Evangelical 
Lutheran church, at the Blue Mountains.” The services 


271 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


were in charge of Rev. Daniel Schumacher, as its first 
pastor, who also served other Churches among which was 
Zion’s Church, Perry township. In its early history the 
congregation consisted of few members. Services were not 
held frequently. 

The life of these early settlers in their new mountain 
home was not very peaceful. The Indians also dwelled in 
those mountains and occasionally manifested open un¬ 
friendliness. The hostility grew more intense until finally 
these people were driven out and their log church burned 



ST. PAUL’S, SMOKE CHURCH 

to the ground. Though deprived of their humble dwellings 
and church their faith failed them not. On September 25, 
1767 a request was issued and signed by Rev. Peter Mishler 
(an unordained minister), at that time pastor, Jacob Mueller 
and George Grove to collect funds for erecting a new church 
near the Blue Mountains. On October 9, 1767 permission 
was granted to collect 500 Pounds or about $2500. This 
added to their own funds, enabled them to build a second 
church. This was also built of logs and endured 63 years. 


272 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The church occupied a site adjoining the present church 
building on the north. The outlines of a portion of its 
foundation can still easily be seen between the present 
edifice and the state road. The church was dedicated on 
the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity, 1769. Soon after this 
Rev. Frederick Mueller became the pastor. Pastor Mueller 
ministered to the congregation until 1826, when bodily in¬ 
firmities compelled him to relinquish the pastorate. He 
died in August, 1827. On July 9, 1826, Rev. G. F. I. Iaeger 
became the pastor of th£ congregation and ministered 
faithfully to this people until 1870. When Pastor Iaeger 
took charge of the congregation the Reformed people began 
to hold services in the church. 

In 1832 the old log church was torn down and the bet¬ 
ter material used to build a “Schoolmaster’s house.” This 
w T as a log dwelling and later became the home of the 
church’s sexton. After having stood for 85 years it was 
replaced in 1917 by a fine two-story frame dwelling. 

The third and present church building was erected in 
1832. The building committee consisted of John Seidel 
and Daniel Hollenbach, Lutheran; John Fry and Daniel 
Weiss, Reformed. The foundation walls of the church over¬ 
lap those of the former church edifice on the north. On 
April 29, 1832, the corner-stone was laid and the church 
dedicated, October 20, 1832. Rev. G. F. I. Iaeger and A. L. 
Herman (Reformed) were the officiating pastors. At 
this time new church regulations were adopted and the 
Reformed congregation granted equal rights and privileges 
in the property with the Lutheran congregation “forever.” 
It is supposed that at this time also the original name of 
the church, “Lebanon Evangelical Lutheran church, at 
the Blue Mountains/’ was changed to that of “St. Paul’s 
Union Church.” In the earlier times of its history it be¬ 
came known as the “Smoke Church” by which name it is 
still commonly called. Tradition says that the male wor¬ 
shipers were in the habit of smoking in the church until 
the services began. Then the smoking ceased and “the 
people began to listen attentively and reverently to the 
preaching of God' Word.” 

The building is a small plain stone structure without 

2 r?0 
16 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


a steeple or belfry. It is nearly square (30 x 40 feet). 
There are three entrances and a number of small arched 
windows in the four walls of the edifice. The northwest 
corner of the outer wall contains the corner-stone of the 
second church building. On it is the inscription: 1769, P. 
M.; H. I.; E. H.; G. G. There are galleries on three sides 
of the interior. Both the first floor and the galleries were 
originally furnished with old-fashioned high-backed pews. 
The pulpit was wineglass shaped with a sounding board 
above it. A small pipe organ occupies a portion of the gal¬ 
lery on the south. The seating capacity is about 200. In 
1856 the congregation fittingly celebrated its centennial. 

In 1868 the church was remodeled, the interior was 
entirely changed and equipped with a more modern pulpit, 
a new altar and new pews. It was rededicated September 
27, 1868. In 1892 the church was again renovated, the 
interior being repainted and refurnished at a cost of $500. 
In 1907 the congregation built two rows of sheds. A beau¬ 
tiful cemetery adjoins the church on the west. The Rev. 
W. L. Meckstroth has supplied the Reformed congregation 
since 1911. 

The following have been the pastors of the Lutheran 
congregation:—Rev. Schumacher, 1756-1765; Peter Mishler, 
(not ordained), 1765-1769; Rev. Frederick Mueller, 1769- 
1826; Rev. G. F. I. Iaeger, 1826-1870; Rev. F. K. Hunt- 
zinger, 1870-1875; Rev. B. S. Smoll, 1875-1880; Rev. C. K. 
Drumheller, 1880-1883; Rev. O. D. Miller, 1884-1896; Revs. 
Z. H. Gable, W. Wagernagel and Wm. F. Bond, supplies, 
1896-1897; Rev. H. C. Kline, 1897-1910; Revs. G. D. Druck¬ 
enmiller, and others, supplies, 1910-1913; Rev. W. K. 
Fisher, 1913 to—. 

The Rev. Raymond J. Heckman of Reading is a son 
of this congregation. 

In June 1901, a new parish was formed consisting of St. 
Paul’s Church, St. John’s Church, Hamburg and Zion’s 
Church, Perry township In 1911 St. John’s Church, Ham¬ 
burg, became a separate parish and St. Paul’s and Zion’s 
were supplied until 1913 when the present parish was 
formed comprising the congregations of St. Paul’s, Windsor 
township; Zion’s, Perry township; Frieden’s, Lenhartsville; 


274 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


and St. Luke’s, Shoemakersville. Shortly after the forma¬ 
tion of this new parish a unanimous call was extended to 
Rev. W. K. Fisher, the present pastor, who assumed the 
pastorate December 1, 1913. 

FRIEDEN’S, LENHARTSVILLE 

/***HIS congregation sprung largely from Dunkel’s 
fl Church located three miles southeast of Lenharts- 
ville. In 1855 a number of religiously inclined people 
met and organized themselves into a congregation. The 
following resolution was adopted: “We the citizens of Len- 
hartsville and vicinity in the year of our Lord, 1855, re¬ 
solved on account of inconvenience and distance to other 
churches to build a union church, Lutheran and Reformed, 
wherein to worship Almighty God.” 



FRIEDEN’S CHURCH, LENHARTSVILLE 

However, the selection of a site for the location of the 
church created not a little agitation and discussion. The 
newly organized congregation resolved itself into three 
elements which favored as many different sites. One 


275 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


party expressed its desire for the erection of the church 
in the vicinity of Klinesville; another for the west side of 
the Maidencreek within the borough limits of Lenhartsville; 
the third element amongst whom was George Merkel, an 
influential and charitably inclined citizen, favored the pres¬ 
ent location. It was finally and amicably decided to erect 
the church on the state road several hundred yards east of 
Lenhartsville on a large plot of ground donated “by George 
Merkel and his wife, Fanny”, who were also the donors of 
a large parcel of ground to be used for cemetery purposes. 
A survey of the ground was made February 7, 1858, by Silas 
Christman, and found to contain 103 perches. 

Ground was broken, and the corner-stone laid on Whit¬ 
sunday, June 1, 1856. In this stone were deposited “a copy 
of the Holy Scriptures; the Lutheran and Reformed Cate¬ 
chisms; the Common Hymn Book; bread and wine and a 
piece of writing containing style and title of said church.” 
The officiating pastors were Rev. G. F. I. Iaeger (Lutheran) 
and J. Sassaman Herman (Reformed). The joint Church 
Councils comprised the following members: Elders: John 
A. Dietrich (Lutheran) and John Frey (Reformed) ; Dea¬ 
cons: Reuben A. Dietrich and Samuel Baver, (Lutheran), 
Seth Ziegler and Charles P. Dietrich (Reformed); Trustees: 
George Merkel and George Yenser (Lutheran), Samuel 
Lenhart and William Rieser (Reformed). 

The following proclamation was made and read at the 
laying of the corner-stone:—“With the laying of the corner¬ 
stone of the church in process of erection, the Union Evan¬ 
gelical Lutheran and German Reformed Lenhartsville 
Frieden’s Church, in Greenwich Township, Berks County. 
Whereas, The Lord desires to dwell where the memory of 
His name is established, and where two or three are gath¬ 
ered together in His name, He will be with them and bless 
them; Whereas, No congregation can establish the celebra¬ 
tion of public worship with meaning and dignity, to the end 
of edification, without a building erected to this end, this 
congregation has resolved, Therefore to build a churchi-a 
German Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran. It is neces¬ 
sary to disclose to the world the end and purpose of this 
house. We hereby attest, therefore, to the present and 


276 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


future generations, that we to-day, the first day of June, 
in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred, fifty- 
six, in the administration of Franklin Pierce, President, 
and of James Pollock, Governor of Pennsylvania, lay the 
corner-stone of a Union German Evangelical Lutheran and 
Reformed Church; that on completion this house be dedi¬ 
cated to the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and 
ever remain thus. It shall be called the Lenhartsville 
Frieden’s Church. In it the Gospel of the crucified Christ 
shall be preached and the Holy Sacraments administered, 
conformed to the teachings of His Apostles, the contents of 
whose teachings we learn from our respective Lutheran and 
Reformed Catechisms; which same are placed to-day in the 
corner-stone, in order that they who may come after us may 
know our confession of faith. If at any time men should 
forget their Savior, scorn the Word of God and His Sacra¬ 
ments, and not tolerate his salutary teaching, we call 
Heaven and Earth to witness that we be free from their sin 
and blood. This house which we here build, shall ever be 
witness that we love Protestant Christianity and desire its 
furtherance; that it is our desire that the atonement of 
Jesus be here clearly taught to poor sinners; that we expect 
that those who may come after us may never forsake their 
Christian community and congregation; that it is our de¬ 
sire that the teaching of Christ’s atonement may here 
arouse, encourage, comfort and edify old and young and 
prepare them for Eternity. With such desire, with such 
hope, we can confidently trust in God and say with Jacob: 
‘This stone which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s 
house’, a place in which God shall reveal his presence.” 

With the hearty cooperation of the members of the 
church and the support of the citizens of the community the 
edifice was finally completed and “solemnly dedicated on 
Sunday, May 31, 1857, as a house of public worship.” The 
total cost for “the erection of the church, stable (for pas¬ 
tors’ teams), and fence, including interest up to April 1, 
1858, was |5,785.94.” The amount collected by cash and 
subscription up to 1870 for the building fund was $4,622.77. 

In 1872 action was taken by the joint Church Councils 
to 1 liquidate the debt of the church,—a debt which the 


277 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


authorities regarded as seriously “retarding the growth and 
general spirit of the congregation.” 

The following resolution was passed “that all male 
members be assessed according to their financial status.” 
With but few exceptions the individual assessments were 
paid and thereby the debt was practically wiped out. 

The church is a one story brick edifice. A front hall¬ 
way leads to the ground floor and by two stairways to the 
rear and side balconies. It is a plain yet large and lofty 
structure with a belfry. The tower, containing the bell, 
was erected in 1901. An excellent pipe organ built by E. 
E. Palm of Mt. Penn, Pa., and occupying the upper rear 
balcony, since 1904, enhances the beauty of the interior of 
the church and its service. Andrew Carnegie contributed 
$250.00 toward its payment. The seating capacity of the 
church is about 400. 

In 1880 “certain troubles and difficulties arose among 
the members of the Church whereby its constitution came 
in question” and the peace and prosperity of the Church 
was seriously threatened for a time. The constitution was 
deemed insufficient in form. It was thought amendments 
were necessary. On March 18, 1880, the congregation 
appointed Peter Fister, instructing him to appoint six re¬ 
spectable persons, members of the congregation of whom 
three were to be Lutheran and three Reformed, as a joint 
committee to frame and present a form of the constitution.” 
The following committee was appointed March 19, 1880, 
Lutheran,—Nathan Stump, Reuben A. Dietrich and Samuel 
Baver; Reformed,—Jacob Z. George, Willoughby Leiby and 
Peter Fister. The committee, with William H. Lenhart, 
secretary, submitted a revised form of the constitution 
which was accepted by the congregation May 8, 1880. After 
this united action the congregational life eventually became 
harmonious again. 

In 1894 as well as in the year of 1922 the ceme¬ 
tery adjoining the church was enlarged and the additional 
ground duly consecrated. In 1907 a substantial and orna¬ 
mental iron fence was erected in front of the church. In 
1912, through the earnest efforts of several interested 
friends of the congregation a strip of ground on the north 


278 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


side of the public road, directly opposite the church, was 
secured from the “Merkel” descendants. On this tract a 
row of sheds for teams and automobiles has been erected. A 
public schoolhouse adjoins the church property on the east. 

The Rev. R. S. Appel has been the Reformed pastor 
since 1893. 

The first Lutheran pastor was Rev. G. F. I. Iaeger. 
He served from June 14, 1857 to July 24, 1870, when he re¬ 
signed on account of his age and infirmity. Pastor Iaeger 
owned and lived on a farm in the vicinity of Klinesville for 
many years. The farm is still known as the “Iaeger farm”, 
and is in possession of his immediate descendants. There 
is no record of his many official acts. He was followed by 
Rev. F. K. Huntzinger, whose labors extended from Octo¬ 
ber 23, 1870 to November 21, 1875. Records show that he 
baptized 28; confirmed 44; and officiated at only 2 funerals. 
The Record says: “There were more deaths in the congre¬ 
gation, but as Father Iaeger who had lived and labored in 
the charge of which Lenhartsville was a part for nearly 50 
years, who had baptized and confirmed the children of 
nearly two generations, he was generally invited to officiate 
at the funerals of the congregation”. Then came the fol¬ 
lowing pastorates: Rev. Benjamin Smoll, July 4, 1876- July 
25, 1880; Rev. D. D. Trexler, August 14, 1880-October 12, 
1913; Rev. W. K. Fisher, December 1, 1913 to—. 

ST. JOHN’S, SINKING SPRING 

historical material of this congregation is meager, 
ll It is found in recorded deeds, the records of Trinity, 
Reading, Pa., the minutes of synod and the diary 
of Rev. J. W. Richards, D. D. On October 30, 1793, Chris¬ 
tian Ruth, a member of Haehn’s (Hain’s) Church devised 
li/ 2 acres for a church and burying place at Sinking Spring, 
Pa. This offer was accepted by the people residing in the 
village and a church was built. The corner-stone was laid, 
May 3, 1794. The church was dedicated as an Evangelical 
Presbyterian Reformed Church. 

The building was of brick and its pulpit of the wine¬ 
glass type. In 1809, 2V 2 acres of the farm of Peter Ruth 


279 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


were added and the ground lying north of the building was 
annexed to the cemetery. 

Up to 1812, the property was controlled largely by 
members of the Reformed Church. In that year the Luth¬ 
erans were admitted to joint ownership. 

In 1817 the congregations purchased a pipe organ, 
built by Obenhauser, of Reading. Its construction was 



ST. JOHN’S CHURCH, SINKING SPRING 


peculiar. A large eagle with out-stretched wings occupied 
the middle section of the organ. To the right and left two 
figures of angels blowing trumpets were placed. The first 
original floor, constructed of brick was removed and one of 
wood substituted. In 1851 a tower 16 feet square and 151 
feet high, capped by a large brass ball was erected. A bell 


280 













LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


weighing 1600-lbs. was placed in the belfry. At this time 
$3000.00 was spent in improvements. October 16, 1852, 
the church was dedicated. In 1884 the congregations made 
others improvements costing $7000. 

In 1896 difficulties and misunderstandings between 
the two congregations concerning changes in the internal 
arrangements of the church to which the Lutherans were 
opposed and upon which the Reformed insisted, led to a 
separation. At a meeting of the Reformed congregation 
held January 1, 1897, the following action was taken, “First: 
That the agreement of March 13, 1854, be abrogated and 
annulled and that the Reformed congregation pay to the 
Lutheran congregation the sum of $2500.00. Secondly: 
That the Reformed congregation quitclaim and convey to 
the Lutheran congregation the undivided moiety or half 
part of the lot of ground purchased from Elijah Ruth and 
conveyed to the Sinking Spring congregations by deed dated 
December 27, 1828, the half part to be conveyed to the 
Lutheran congregation. Thirdly: That the Lutheran con¬ 
gregation quitclaim all their right, title and interest to the 
other one-half of said lot.’’ 

The corner-stone of the present building was laid April 
6, 1897. The church was dedicated October 23 and 24, 1897, 
the pastor, Rev. B. D. Zweizig was assisted by Revs. Korine, 
Brownmiller, Early and Strodach. The organ was conse¬ 
crated July 29 and 30, 1899. It cost $2100.00. In 1906 
electric lights and fixtures were installed at a cost of $550. 
During the fall of 1912, the building was thoroughly re¬ 
paired, the walls of the auditorium and Sunday School 
room painted and steam heat installed. The improvements 
cost $1050. 

The one hundredth anniversary of the Church was cele¬ 
brated December 15 to 18, 1912. 

The first pastor was Rev. H. A. Muhlenberg, D. D. 
He was pastor of Trinity, Reading, March 21, 1803-1828. 
The minutes of synod -state that he also served Sinking 
Spring, Alsace, Schwartzwald and Spies. Rev. Jacob Miller, 
D. D., was pastor of Trinity, January 15, 1829-April 24, 
1850. He also preached at Sinking Spring, Alsace, Schwartz¬ 
wald and Spies. 


281 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


In 1842 a demand by the English speaking people for 
English services aroused bitter feeling. This resulted in 
the calling of Rev. F. A. M. Keller, November 3, 1842. In 
1843-1850, Rev. Keller reports Sinking Spring, .Alsace, 
Schwartzwald and Spies as his parish. In 1852, Rev. T. T. 
Iaeger informed the president of synod that he had re¬ 
signed the Lancaster County congregations and retained 
Womelsdorf, Rehrersburg, Millersburg, Myerstown, Sink¬ 
ing Spring and North Heidelberg. In 1854 Sinking Spring 
and Millersburg, do not appear on the list of congregations 
served by Rev. Iaeger. 

On January 1, 1853, Rev. J. W. Richards, D. D. (then 
pastor of Trinity, Reading) was elected to St. John’s. Dr. 
Richards’ diary contains a complete list of baptisms, con¬ 
firmations, memberships, tnarriages and deaths. Upon 
the death of Dr. Richards in 1854, Rev. F. A. M. Keller, 
pastor of St. James’, Reading, reports Sinking Spring, 
Emanuel (Hamburg) and Kissinger’s as his parish. Can¬ 
didate B. D. Zweizig assisted Dr. Keller, 1857 to 1859. Upon 
the death of Rev. Keller in 1864, Rev. Zweizig became pas¬ 
tor of Sinking Spring which he served until his death, Sep¬ 
tember 9, 1903. On October 24, 1903, Rev. J. W. Lazarus 
of the Mt. Bethel parish, Northampton County, was unani¬ 
mously elected, the call to take effect January 1, 1904. 

Three members of St. John’s have entered the minis¬ 
try: Francis Trout Hoover, confirmed by Rev. Keller, De¬ 
cember 11, 1858, ordained 1866, first charge, St. John’s, 
Reading, Pa.; Franklin K. Huntzinger, confirmed by Rev. 
Keller and ordained 1869, founder of St. Luke’s, Reading, 
and its pastor for over fifty years; Wm. J. Masser ordained 
1911, pastor at Orwigsburg, Pa. 

Members of St. John’s assisted in the formation of 
the following Churches: Bethany, West Reading, 1896; 
Trinity, Wernersville, 1897; Grace, Shillington, 1900; 
Church of the Atonement, Wyomissing, 1900. 

The congregation was chartered in 1897. Its consti¬ 
tution is similar to that of Trinity, Reading, Pa. 

During the World War 16 young men enlisted in the 

V 

army and one young woman as a volunteer nurse. 


282 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


TRINITY, WERNERSVILLE 

g0R some years the establishment of a Lutheran con¬ 
gregation in this place had been discussed by mem- 
bers of the Reading Conference through its mission 
committee. Up to 1895 the matter had gone no further 
than the discussion of the prospects and probabilities. July 
29, 1895, Dr. Horine and Dr. Kuendig, members of the mis¬ 
sion committee, held a meeting in the school building during 
which a provisional organization was effected. Messrs. G. W. 
Wertz, T. C. Bricker, John Roether, M. E. Smeltzer and H. 
P. Flickinger were appointed a temporary board of officers 
to secure a place of worship, and to take charge of the con¬ 
gregation to be organized. On November 10, 1895, the 
form of constitution recommended by synod was adopted. 
The temporary organization was made permanent by the 
election of a Church Council: A. L. Fiant, James Kauff¬ 
man, T. C. Bricker, and P. G. Fox. Their installation took 
place November 17, Rev. J. W. Early officiating. Services 
were held regularly in the hgh school building by the Revs. 
Horine, D. D., Kuendig, D. D., Fry, D. D., Early, Huntzinger, 
Smith, Finfrock and students J. W. Horine, Charles J. 
Gable and L. D. Gable. 

On August 2, 1896, one year after the organization of 
its provisional board at a congregational meeting at which 
Dr. Kuendig presided the following building committee was 
appointed: Geo. W. Wertz, M. E. Smeltzer, H. P. Flickinger 
and M. L. Kauffman. On December 28th it was decided 
to erect a church building 45 by 65 of mountain stone. 
Ground was broken October 6th and the corner-stone laid 
November 15, 1896. Revs. Dr. Horine, Dr. Kuendig and 
Lewis Smith officiating. On June 15, 1897, three more 
members were added to the Church Council: Geo. W. Wertz, 
Albert Potteiger and Samuel Wenrich. On July 27, 1897, 
Rev. Wm. A. Snyder, was elected and called as pastor. Rev. 
Snyder was installed by Drs. Horine and Kuendig, August 
15, 1897. 

The formal dedication of the building took place Aug. 
22, 1897. The pastor was assisted by Revs. Dr. Horine and 
Dr. Kuendig. Additional services were held, the Revs. 


283 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Schantz, Early, Brownmiller and Zweizig serving Saturday 
afternoon and evening. On Sunday, 2 p. m., Dr. Horine, 
Revs. Heilman and Kershner delivered addresses. In the 
evening Revs. Gable, Strodach, Welder and Kramlich con¬ 
veyed the greetings of their respective congregations. 



On May 21 and 22, 1898, a Meneely bell was dedicated. 
During the spring of 1903 (May 18) an order for a two 
manual pipe organ was placed. The consecration of the 


284 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

organ took place October 25, 1903. On January 23, 1904, 
the Rev. Wm. A. Snyder tendered his resignation to take 
effect March 1. 

Fortunately to the best interests of the congregation 
no interval was allowed to intervene between the pastorate 
of Pastor Snyder and his successor, Rev. J. W. Lazarus. 
At a regularly called meeting of the congregation held 
March 20, 1904, Rev. Lazarus, pastor of St. John’s, 
Sinking Spring, was elected. The unanimous call was 
accepted, effective April 1, upon the condition that confer¬ 
ence would form a new parish, uniting St. John’s, Sinking 
Spring, and Trinity, Wernersville. This was done at the 
spring meeting of conference held at Robesonia. 

Through the generosity of its honored members, Trin¬ 
ity enjoys the perpetual right of educating her sons at 
Muhlenberg College. One of these, Paul P. Huyett, class of 
1910, was ordained by the Ministerium of Penna., 1913. 

Six shares of the Lutheran Mission and Church Exten¬ 
sion society valued at $50 each are held by members of the 
congregation, the accruing interest going to the society. 
Through the bequest of one of its founders, the congrega¬ 
tion has an endowment fund of $500. During the past 
25 years the members and friends of the congregation con¬ 
tributed S18,487 for current expenses; S10,310 for special 
expenses; and S9,264 for benevolence; or a grand total 
benevolence of 838,061. 

The Sunday School has been under the supervision of 
an efficient corps of officers and of faithful and self-sacri¬ 
ficing teachers. Much of the success of the Sunday School 
was due to the untiring efforts of its first superintendent, 
T. C. Bricker, nor has his successor, Charles Kauffman, 
lacked anything essential to the requirements of that office. 
It has always endeavored to maintain a high standard in 
the matter of its instruction. It was one of the first to 
adopt the graded lesson series. 

With the entrance of our country into the World War, 
patriotism of the purest type manifested itself. That 
loyalty to country which has ever been a fundamental doc¬ 
trine of our church, showed itself in sacrifice and service. 
Four young men entered the army: Lloyd G. Haag, Sgt., 


285 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Washington, D. C.; Lloyd M. Hassler, Sgt.; George B. 
Lazarus, Sgt. Co. M Pioneer Infantry; Harry R. Miller, 
Sgt,, Co. F, 316 Infantry, wounded. During the whole 
period of the war the pastor kept in touch with the men 
through frequent correspondence. When “Our Boys” re¬ 
turned a reception was tendered them ending in a service 
held on the evening of November 11, 1919. 

ZION, STRAUSSTOWN 

ION Union Church of Upper Tulpehocken township, a 
-w- quarter mile east of the borough of Strausstown, 
was popularly known in the past as Blue Mountain 
Church. It is located along the state road leading from 
Hamburg to Jonestown and Harrisburg. It stands upon a 
divide some of whose water flows into the Little Swatara 



ZION, BLUE MOUNTAIN CHURCH 

and finally reaches the Susquehanna; and the other flows 
into the Little Northkill, the Tulpehocken and the Schuyl¬ 
kill river. Fort Northkill commanding one of the gaps in 
the Blue Mountains is located about two miles northeast. 
This church in early history was also known as the North- 


286 











LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


kill church. There is a farm of about 40 acres, the property 
of the church. Extending west from the church there is 
a beautiful grove which is used for Sunday School picnics 
and other church gatherings. 

The dates engraved on the corner-stone are 1739-1819- 
1904, indicating the years in which the three churches 
were erected. The first building put up in 1739 was of 
logs and stood in the old cemetery east of the barn belong¬ 
ing to the church farm. 

It is generally said that the first 80 years the prop¬ 
erty belonged to the Reformed alone. There is probably 
a mistake about this, for the first land was secured in 1746 
for Lutherans and Reformed. This has been established 
by Daniel H. Hoch with documentary evidence. Another 
document, a warrant is extant, dated April 5, 1768. In this 
deed 50 acres with buildings are conveyed to Henry Berger 
and Nicholas Gauger in trust for a Reformed and Luth¬ 
eran congregation forever. This deed recites that it is the 
property deeded to Adam Sunday, Valentine Ruenzell and 
Jacob Resh, March 7, 1746, in trust for a Reformed and 
Lutheran church in consideration of 50 shillings. Then 
there was a deed next, dated January 3, 1772, conveying 
the property from Henry Berger and Nicholaus Gauger to 
George Berger and Philip Clar in trust for the Reformed 
forever. There is no explanation how this diversion of 
property was brought about in the course of only four 
years, from 1768 (above) to 1772. 

The next deed was issued March 14, 1826 to Adam 
Sunday, Valentine Reinzell (Ruenzel) and Jacob Rush 
(Resh) in trust for the Lutheran and Presbyterian Church, 
their heirs and assigns forever, for this tract warranted 
March 7, 1746. From the evidence it is clear that 177 
years ago the property belonged jointly to the Lutherans 
and Reformed. Secondly, that from 1772 to 1819, for about 
47 years it was a Reformed property. 

There is no record extant when or by whom the Luth¬ 
eran congregation was organized at the time of the build¬ 
ing of the second church. There probably was a Lutheran 
congregation existing throughout its early history in spite 
of the fact that they lost their property rights for a time. 


287 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The second church was built in 1819. It was a large 
stone church with three entrances on three sides of the 
church. It was built on the site of the present church. 
The building committee consisted of the following: Luth¬ 
eran, Jacob Degler, John Wertz, Peter Gerhard; Reformed, 
Jacob Klahr, John Aulenbach, Jacob Reber. Church Coun¬ 
cil: Lutheran, Jacob Degler, Elder; Henry Gebhard, Dea¬ 
con; Reformed, Valentine Bolz, Elder; Henry Kiehner, 



TEE OLD CHURCH 


Deacon. Head Mascns were Mathies Roth, John Batteiger; 
Head Carpenter, John Schwallm. The clergy that were 
present at the dedication were John (Wm.) Gotthold Ernst 
and Benjamin German, on the Lutheran side. Rev. Wm. 
Hendel, D. D., and Rev. John Faber on the Reformed side. 

These people also provided a schoolhouse for a paro¬ 
chial school. The schoolmaster lived on the farm, and was 


288 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


farmer, teacher, sexton, organist and choirmaster. Some 
able teachers served here. A few were proficient even in 
English. This school ceased to exist after the advent of 
the public schools, about 1855. Some of the teachers were a 
Mr. Trewitz, Peter Gilbert, Charles Butzer, and William 
Miller. Those following were only sexton and organist: 
Luther Miller and William Dietrich. Since 1902 none of 
the organists have been living in the sexton’s house. The 
organists since then have been C. A. Unger, Mrs. G. W. 
Anthony, and Charles Anthony. 

On September 22, 1860 the congregations agreed to 
apply for a charter of incorporation, which was granted 
January 21, 1861. 

In 1863 a slate roof was put on the church. In 1883 a 
new steeple was added and the old bell of 1856 was placed 
therein. This is the same bell that was placed in the new 
tower. It is not known when the old pipe organ was se¬ 
cured. It is generally thought that it was gotten when the 
second church was built or soon thereafter. 

A Sunday School was started in the town about 1850 
and in about 1900 was moved into the church. Some of the 
superintendents were the following: Michael Miller, Henry 
Christ, Frank Daniels, James F. Naftzinger, Thomas Rich¬ 
ardson, C. A. Unger, Roger Moll, C. A. Unger, Jr., and A. 
W. Hiester. 

The present church building was erected 1904-5. The 
building committee consisted of the trustees as follows: 
John W. Hollenbach, John A. Degler and John G. Bare, 
Lutheran; Wm. D. Hiester, Charles Christman and W. M. 
Anspach, Reformed. The corner-stone was laid May 22, 
1904. Rev. O. E. Pflueger, Lutheran pastor, was assisted 
by Rev. O. Leopold; and Rev. T. C. Leinbach and Rev. E. 
S. Leinbach, Reformed pastors, were assisted by Rev. Joseph 
Freeman. The following year the church was completed and 
was dedicated May 20-21. The Lutheran pastor was assisted 
by Revs. H. C. Kline, D. D. Trexler, A. P. Pflueger, H. L. 
Straub, A. J. Long, and D. G. Gerberich; the Reformed pas¬ 
tors were assisted by Revs. Eli Hiester, G. W. Gerhard, J. 
H. Leeser, L. D. Stambaugh, S. A. Leinbach and W. F. More. 

In 1914 the 175th anniversary was observed with the 


289 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


burning of the mortgage, October 25. The visiting pastors 
were G. D. Druckenmiller and Dr. I. C. Fisher. In 1922 the 
old Dieffenbach organ was replaced by a two-manual Austin 
organ at a price of over $4,100. Since the building of the 
church the tower has been rebuilt. The church was built 
at a cost of over $20,000. The property is free of debt 
except that a small amount is still due on the organ. The 
organ was dedicated November 19, 1922. Rev. Rufus E. 
Kern and Rev. M. L. H'erbein were the visiting clergymen. 

In 1913 the new Strausstown parish was organized with 
the following congregations: Zion, Strausstown; Friedens, 
(Shartlesville;) Trinity, Rehrersburg; Salem, Bethel; St. 
Paul’s, Tulpehocken; and Christ, Little Tulpehocken. On 



STRAUSSTOWN PARSONAGE 


March 1, 1914 Rev. Ira W. Klick became pastor of the 
parish. In August of the same year it was decided to build 
a parsonage. The Strausstown congregation was to build 
in its own name, but the other congregations were “to put 
as much money into the project as they could/’—money to 
be loaned without interest as long as the congregations were 
a part of the parish. Otherwise it was due on demand. 
The result was that about four-fifths of the cost was paid 
by Zion church, Strausstown, and about one-fifth by the 
other congregations. The following April the parsonage 
was ready to be occupied. It is a large frame house of 12 
rooms, costing approximately $4000, contains all modern 
improvements and is free of debt. The Willing Workers 


290 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

Society has rendered very praiseworthy service both in the 
payment of the debt and in making further improvements 
and repairs. 

The Rev. Frank W. Ruth is the present Reformed pas¬ 
tor. 

The following is a list of the Lutheran pastors. The 
years of service appended to the first four names are in 
doubt: Revs. Daniel Schumacher, 1756-59; Peter Mischler; 
Daniel Lehman, 1778-1809; John Knoske, 1811; Benj. Ger¬ 
man, 1817-21; George Minnig, 1822-50; J. M. Dietzler, 
1850-58; Hugo Grahn, D. D., 1859-61; Joel Grim, 1861-65; 
Aaron Finfrock, 1865-91; W. W. Kramlich, 1892-01; J. W. 
Early (supply), 1901-02; O. E. Pflueger, 1902-13; Ira W. 
Klick, 1914 to—. 

FRIEDEN’S, SHARTLESVILLE 

*#jfRIEDEN’S Union Church of Upper Bern township is 
located outside of the town of Shartlesville on a 
commanding hill overlooking that entire territory. 
The town is located along the improved highway leading 
from Hamburg to Harrisburg. The reason for the organi¬ 
zation of this Church was to give the people of the town 
and vicinity a more convenient place of worship. The orig¬ 
inal organizers and those who later joined were mostly 
members of St. Michael’s, Strausstown, and Bernville 
Churches. 

The first agitation for the building of a church took 
place in 1880, but nothing came of it. Ten years later on 
January 29, 1870 there was a preliminary meeting and an 
organization effected, under the chairmanship of James S. 
Hix. At this meeting church regulations were drawn up 
and signed. The Lutheran signers were Daniel Wagner, 
Benjamin Wagner, Moses Kaufman, Joseph K. Henne, Joel 
Long, Jared K. Baltharser, and James B. Nunemacher. The 
latter donated about four acres of land as a site on which 
to build. The Reformed signers were Jacob S. Kutz, Jacob 
Albright, Isaac L. Moyer, and Joseph Althouse. 

The corner-stone was laid August 28, 1870. Rev. F. 
P. Mayser, D. D., and R. S. Appel were present besides prob¬ 
ably one or two other clergymen. The basement of the 


291 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


church was first completed and was dedicated July 29, 1871. 
Revs. Thomas T. Iaeger, R. S. Appel, and Rittenhouse were 
the officiating clergymen. The first bell was cast by the 
McShane Bell Foundry and was dedicated November 9, 1879, 
when Revs. Leonard Groh, R. S. Appel, Chas Leinbach, D. 
D. Trexler, were present. The church proper was com- 


FRIEDEN’S, SHARTLESVILLE CHURCH 

pleted and dedicated September 8, 1889. Revs. D. D. Trex¬ 
ler, F. P. Mayser, D. D., S. B. Stupp, R. S Appel and Dr. 
Kayser officiated. 

The next event of importance was the securing of a 
pipe organ. Mr. Thomas Dieffenbach of Bethel, Pa., was 



292 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


engaged to build an organ for the church. The bell which 
was previously placed in the tower cracked and was recast. 
The names of the two pastors, D. D. Trexler and R. S. Appel 
are cast into the bell. On August 30, 1891, both the bell 
and the new organ were dedicated. Rev. D. D. Trexler 
and Rev. 0. Miller officiated for the Lutherans and Rev. R. 
S. Appel and Dr. Kayser for the Reformed. The church 
was free of debt at the time of dedication. 

On August 29, 1920, the semi-centennial of the laying 
of the corner-stone was celebrated, and the electric lights 
which had been installed, dedicated. Rev. Ira W. Klick, 
Rev. G. D. Druckenmiller and Dr. J. H. Raker were present 
for the Lutherans and Rev. R. S. Appel, and Rev. Meckstroth 
for the Reformed. 

The church is a commodious brick building with a large 
central tower. A vestibule communicates with the base¬ 
ment and the church auditorium. The main auditorium is 
neatly frescoed. F. P. Mayser, D. D., was pastor from 1871- 
1874; Rev. D. D. Trexler from 1874-1913; Rev. Ira W. Klick 
from 1914 to the present time. Rev. R. S. Appel has been 
the first and only pastor on the Reformed side. He is 81 
years old and hale and hearty. 

Rev. Trexler’s three sons, Martin, Samuel and Charles 
were confirmed in the church and may be called sons of 
this congregation. Martin died while a student at the Sem¬ 
inary. Samuel G. Trexler, D. D., is president of the New 
York and New England Synod. Charles D. Trexler 
is pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Brooklyn, 
N. Y. 

A very flourishing Sunday School has been maintained 
in the church. It has a membership of over 200 and is doing 
excellent work. 

TRINITY, REHRERSBURG 

RINITY Union Church, of Tulpehocken township, is 
il located in the town of Rehrersburg, on the road 
i ea( ji n g to Strausstown. Previous to 1847 there was 
only one church in Rehrersburg. The Reformed people wor¬ 
shiped at Millersburg, Host, and Strausstown. About this 
time Rev. Isaac Miesse began to hold Reformed services in 


293 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


the Lutheran church. There was also an effort made to turn 
the Lutheran church into a union church. At once a division 
sprang up among the Lutherans. Finally Rev. Miesse and 
his followers were entirely excluded from the church. The 
facts are not at hand as to who was to blame for the fac¬ 
tional trouble. Rev. Miesse seems to have been an inde¬ 
pendent spirit. He separated himself entirely from the 
Reformed synod in 1863. This would seem to show that 



TRINITY, UNION CHURCH 


probably more of the trouble originated from this source 
than is apparent. It would no doubt have been wiser for 
the Lutherans to have kept control of their property but 
permit the Reformed to worship in their church. 

In 1847 the Reformed with some Lutherans decided 
to build a new union church. A site was secured in the 
northern part of the town and the following building corn- 


294 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

mittee was appointed: Lutheran, Henry Manbeck, Samuel 
Miller, Jacob Riehl, Christian Holzman; Reformed, George 
Berger, Benjamin Kline, Benjamin Klahr, and John Ger¬ 
hart. The corner-stone was laid on Whitsunday, May 23, 
1847. The dedication took place November 13-14 of the same 
year. Licentiate T. T. Iaeger preached the sermon. Rev. 
Isaac Miesse, Rev. George Minnig and Mr. J. M. Dietzler 
assisted in the service. At the same time Rev. Iaeger and 
Rev. Miesse were installed as pastors. One of the peculiar 
things seems to be that inasmuch as Rev. Miesse was the 
only Reformed minister present, Rev. Minnig, a Lutheran 
pastor, must have installed him. It seems also strange that 
Rev. T. T. Iaeger, who was only licensed and not ordained, 
should be installed as a pastor before his ordination. 

The first Church Councils were as follows: Lutheran, 
Elders, Adam Manbeck and John Bechtel; Deacons, Joseph 
Manbeck and Henry Maidenford. Reformed: Elders, Daniel 
Kline and George Stoudt; Deacons, Godley Bordner and 
Peter Aulenbach. These Lutheran pastors served this 
Church: Revs. T. T. Iaeger, 1847-55; J. C. Schmidt, 1855- 
56; Chas. Reese, 1856-58; H. Grahn, D. D., 1858-1861; Joel 
Grim, 1861-66; Thomas Steck, 1866-68; D. D. Trexler, 1868- 
1913; Ira W. Klick, 1914 to the present. 

The Rev. E. S. Leinbach has served the Reformed 
congregation since 1920. 

A Kantner pipe organ was placed in the church in 1859. 
In 1897 the semi-centennial of the building of the church 
was celebrated. The sermons were delivered by Rev. Dr. 
Schantz and Rev. Dr. Brendel. There was a reunion of the 
catechumens also at this time. In 1912 the church was en¬ 
tirely remodeled. There was a second floor put in the 
church thus providing a basement for Sunday School pur¬ 
poses. The old galleries were torn out, leaded opalescent 
glass windows were put in, new pews and new pulpit furni¬ 
ture were installed. The walls were papered and the floor 
carpeted. The pipe organ was placed in the front part of 
the church. About $6,000 were spent on the improvements 
and there is now a very comfortable brick church edifice, 
modernized and in first-class condition, free of all debt. 

In 1886 a Union Mite Society was organized to assist 


295 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

the congregation in meeting unusual expenses. It bought 
a chandelier for the church and erected an iron fence in 
front of the church. It contributed to the debt fund and 
aided very materially in the remodeling of the church. 

In 1886 the Sunday School was organized. It has about 
100 scholars and is doing good work. 

SALEM, MILLERSBURG 

/y ALEM Church of Bethel township, is located near 
CSb the village of Millersburg (Bethel P. 0.) at the forks 
of the road just north of the Little Swatara Creek, 
on the famous post road and Indian trail leading from Phila¬ 
delphia and Reading across the Blue Mountain, close by 



SALEM, MILLERSBURG CHURCH 

Round Top and Fort Henry,—which figured in the French 
and Indian War,—to Shamokin and Sunbury. 

The church building was erected in 1810 by the Re¬ 
formed denomination on ground donated by a Lutheran, 


296 













LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Gottfried Rehrer, founder of Rehrersburg. The church is 
built of limestone and local mountain stone. In 1901 it 
was enlarged and remodeled. A new steeple was added, 
new galleries and a vestibule put in. It is now a commo¬ 
dious church with a Dieffenbach pipe organ, built by the 
somewhat famous Dieffenbachs of Millersburg (Bethel), 
who furnished so many pipe organs for the church in these 
parts. 

The Lutheran people in the vicinity of this church for¬ 
merly worshiped in the old Lutheran church of Rehrers¬ 
burg. This (Salem) congregation was organized in 1852 
by Rev. T. T. Iaeger. The first Council consisted of Martin 
Smith and Solomon Schreffler, Elders; Henry Brobst and 
John Burgert, Deacons. Before the organization took place 
the Reformed congregation was petitioned for the privilege 
to worship in their church. This right was granted under 
a written agreement signed by the Reformed Consistory and 
such voting members as were present, August 21, 1853. 

This right was granted for “so long as the Lutherans 
wish it and the majority of the voting members of the Re¬ 
formed congregation permit it.” In case the Reformed wish 
to change or annul this right the matter must be brought 
in writing before the congregation, signed by one-third of 
the voting members of the Reformed congregation; and 
the election to change or annul must be announced four 
weeks by the pastors of both congregations. 

This agreement provides that the Lutherans shall bring 
their voluntary gifts when repairs and improvements are 
made just as the Reformed do. It also provides that the 
Lutheran pastor must be a member of the German Evan¬ 
gelical Lutheran Synod of Pennsylvania. For seventy years 
these two congregations have lived up to the spirit of this 
agreement. 

When the congregation was organized there were 25 
communicants. The next year there were 48, including 11 
catechumens. The first confirmation class consisted of the 
following: Tyrus Schreffler, Peter Wolf, Rebecca Leibig, 
Catharine Leibig, Sarah Batz, Sarah Clemens, Matilda 
Clemens, Louisa Ketner, Sybilla Dubbs, and Aaron Kreitzer. - 

The pastors were as follows: Rev. Thomas T. Iaeger, 


297 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


1852-1854; Rev. J. C. Schmidt, 1855-1856; Rev. Hugo Grahn, 
D. D., 1858-1866; Rev. D. D. Trexler 1868-1913; Rev. Ira W. 
Klick, 1914, to the present. 

In 1874 more members communed than at any time 
before or since. 

There is a union Sunday School that holds its sessions 
in the school building. It has petitioned the church author¬ 
ities for permission to meet in the church, but strange to 
say, up to this time the request has not been granted. 

CHRIST, JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP 

C HRIST Church (Little Tulpehocken) of Jefferson 
township, is located about one mile southwest of 
Bernville, on the road leading from Bernville along 
the Tulpehocken stream to Krick’s Mills and Womelsdorf. 
It is located on a bluff on the north bank of the Tulpe¬ 
hocken. It may have received its name, Little Tulpehocken, 
from the fact that it was located in Tulpehocken township 
for more than 120 years, and also because it is located on 
the banks of that stream. It was. probably called “little” 
because it always has been a small congregation with a 
small building. There are some who say that it is so called 
to distinguish it from Christ Tulpehocken Church, near 
Stouchsburg, which has always been a larger congregation 
worshiping in a larger building. Tradition prevails that in 
the “Tulpehocken Confusion” of Reed's Church, some of 
the Lutherans withdrew towards the east and organized 
Christ, Little Tulpehocken Church in 1730-34 and the others 
withdrew an went westward and organized Christ Tulpe¬ 
hocken Church near Stouchsburg in 1743. It certainly is 
significant that both churches are called Christ, and also 
Tulpehocken. 

There has been a controversy between Frieden’s 
Church, Bernville, and Christ Church, Little Tulpehocken, 
as to which of these two congregations is the older, and 
therefore Rev. John Caspar Stoever’s original congrega¬ 
tion. The annotation found in the Hallische Nachrichten, 
Vol. II, p. 130, is entirely based on the authority of a former 
pastor of Frieden’s Church, Rev. J. J. Cressman. Three 
celebrities on local church history, Rev. J. W. Early, M. A. 


298 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Gruber, of Washington, D. C., and Rev. Dr. P. C. Croll of 
Womelsdorf, have investigated the historical material, and 
all of them without exception have designated Little Tul- 
pehocken as Rev. John Caspar Stoever’s original church, 
and therefore the older. Space will not permit us to give 
all the evidence that has been accumulating, and that to 
any unbiased mind would be overwhelming and conclusive. 

Rev. Early says: “That this is Rev. J. C. Stoever’s orig¬ 
inal church in this vicinity, the one which he organized and 



CHRIST, LITTLE TULPEHOCKEN CHURCH 

for which he preached, will not be questioned by any one 
who has read Rev. Mr. Stoever’s own statement in regard 
to this matter. It is known that he was in the habit of 
introducing church books, or records, into the congregations 
which he organized and served. He did so here. This is 
his entry on the initial page of the book which he arranged 
for this congregation. It is in his own hand: ‘Church book 
and pro to col of (for) the Evangelical Lutheran congrega¬ 
tion down at the Tulpehocken near the Northkill. In it are 


299 














LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


noted and recorded the children baptized in this church 
and congregation, as well as those regularly joined in matri¬ 
mony, from 1730 on; derived in part from other church 
records and in part from my (own) manuscripts and col¬ 
lected in this (book) and to be continued in future by me, 
John Caspar Stoever, regularly called and ordained an 
Evangelical Lutheran minister, and pastor in charge of this 
and other congregations in Lancaster county, in the prov¬ 
ince of Pennsylvania. Done and executed in the year of 
our Lord, 1742.’ This shows that the baptisms and mar¬ 
riages recorded here during that period were performed 
by him. This apart from the fact that under his own sig¬ 
nature he states that this is his own congregation, should 
be conclusive.” 

It should here be stated that Rev. Stoever’s own records 
were in continued possession of officers of Christ Church, 
from the very beginning until a few years ago, when Rev. 
Early deposited them by permission in the archives of the 
Berks County Historical Society for safe keeping. That is 
strong evidence. 

With reference to the Halle Reports referred to above, 
Rev. Early says: “The least examination of the matter will 
show at once that that statement is simply a local tradi¬ 
tion, accepted without any investigation.” 

Rev. Early then goes on to say that Rev. Tobias Wagner 
in his farewell address names Northkill (Frieden’s) as one 
of his congregations that he served from 1744-46, so that 
he must have been pastor there while at Tulpehocken 
church near Stouchsburg. Rev. Stoever says he com¬ 
menced his record at Little Tulpehocken in 1742 and that 
he had a Church there. Besides it is generally conceded 
that Rev. Mr. Stoever commenced his labors as pastor in 
1730, according to his own church record which he started 
for Christ, Little Tulpehocken Church. 

The warrant for the 35 acres belonging to Little Tul¬ 
pehocken was executed in 1744, before the first Frieden’s 
Church was built. Rev. Stoever also asserts that his church 
is located “down on the Tulpehocken near the Northkill.” 
Frieden’s Church is on the Northkill but about three-fourths 
of a mile from the Tulpehocken. Little Tulpehocken Church 


300 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


is located a stone’s throw from the Tulpehocken creek and 
about a mile from the Northkill. So much for this con¬ 
troversy. 

Rev. John Caspar Stoever baptized the first child, that 
of Michael Shower, December 13, 1730. Michael Shower 
was mentioned as one of the trustees in the warrant 
of land executed May 17, 1744. The other trustee was 
Jacob Miller. The patent for this land was executed Novem¬ 
ber 20, 1747 at Philadelphia. The price was 5 pounds, 8 
shillings, and 5 pence, and an annual proprietary quit-rent 
of V 2 pence per acre. The persons mentioned as trustees 
in the patent are Jacob Miller, Simon Minnig, Conrad Ernst, 
Mathias Smith, Henry Gruber and Martin Batteicher. The 
patent is signed by Thomas and Richard Penn, and is still 
in the possession of the congregation. 

Between 1744 and 1749 a log church was built which 
remained in use until 1809. We know that there was a 
church building prior to 1749 because a marriage is re¬ 
corded by Rev. Stoever to have taken place in that year, 
September 3, “in the church;”—Adam Fischborn and Eliza¬ 
beth Keppeler. 

In 1809 the old log church was demolished and a new 
church built of stone. Some of the material of the old 
church was used in the building of a house at Krick’s 
Mills which is still standing. The corner-stone of the new 
church was laid on June 25, 1809, and the following declar¬ 
ation was placed in the stone: 

“In the name of the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy 
Ghost lay we, the members of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Congregation in Tulpehocken township, Berks County, Prov¬ 
ince of Pennsylvania, the corner-stone for our new church 
about to be built (meaning Christ Church) in which to 
hear God’s Word and to have the Sacraments administered. 

“This our sacred act took place in the year of our 
Lord 1809, the 25th of June, and in the 33rd year of our in¬ 
dependence under the administration of James Madison, 
and Simon Schneider, Governor of Pennsylvania. Building 

Committee: Mathias Smith, - Lingel, John Wenrich, 

John Miller; Elders: Paul Wenrich, Mathias Smith; Dea¬ 
cons: John Schell. Michael Miller;* 


301 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


On June 7, 1813, a congregational meeting was held 
and final settlement was made incident to the building. 
After all bills were paid there was left 2 pounds, 8 shill¬ 
ings, and 6 V 2 pence. This is rather a remarkable record. 
This balance was donated to Mr. Frederick Schaeffer, a 
deacon, for unusual services. The church is a substantial 
stone structure and still in use. It is 40 feet long and 34 
feet wide. It has three entrances, galleries on three sides, 
and two stoves in the middle. The original pulpit was of 
wineglass pattern, with canopy or sounding board. 

In 1853 the church was remodeled and very much 
changed. At this time the Reformed people were given 
equal rights in church and farm for the modest sum of’65 
dollars. The dedication was held November 27, 1853. In 
July 1862 a contract was made with Joel Kantner, pipe 
organ builder, for one of his organs for S600. This organ 
is still in use. In 1874 the church was again improved and 
an addition built to the barn. There was raised for this 
purpose §1140.80. 

In 1789 the first known by-laws were adopted. They 
are still extant. In 1880 another set of by-laws were 
adopted. In 1893 a new cemetery was laid out. In 1911 
shedding was provided for 20 teams or automobiles. 

The farmhouse is a substantial brick building, in the 
basement of which the parochial school was held. There 
are still people living who attended this school before the 
free school system was adopted. All the farm buildings 
are in good repair with running water in the house and at 
the barn. There are probably few congregations approach¬ 
ing the age of this one that can show the same amount 
of old records preserved. It shows also that there was an 
unusual amount of business forms and methods used for 
those times. There are innumerable records of offerings, 
subscriptions, receipts, contracts and by-laws, some dating 
back to the middle of the 18th cemetery. 

The record of the pastors is not very complete. We 
have the following to offer: Revs. John Caspar Stoever, 
1730-54(56); Emmanuel Schultze, 1771 to—; John Caspar 
Stoever, 1773-74: Emmanuel Schultze, —to 1809; Daniel 
Ulrich, 1809-30; Maurice Harpel; J. Carl Smith; Charles 


302 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Reese; Hugo Grahn, D. D., 1859-61; T. Steck, 1866-68; D. 
D. Trexler, 1868-78; A. J. Long, 1878-1908; W. S. Dry, 1910- 
13; Rev. Ira W. Kliek, 1914 to—. 

The Rev. F. W. Ruth has served the Reformed con¬ 
gregation since 1918. 


ST. PAUL’S, TULPEHOCKEN 



T. PAUL'S Union Church of Jefferson township is 
located in the village of New Schaefferstown (Tul- 
pehocken P. 0.), along the state road leading from 
Rehrersburg to Bernville and Reading. 

Before the organization of this Church, people of this 
community worshiped at the Host, Rehrersburg, Strauss- 
town, and Bernville churches. The preliminary meeting at 
which it was decided to build a church was held on June 
13, 1884, when the following were present: John J. Holz- 
man, Adam K. Derr, William Yeakley, Isaac K. Derr, Frank 
H. Schaeffer, Michael Knoll, Adam L. Gottschall, Aaron S. 
Knoll, Aaron M. Fox, Levi K. Derr, David W. Le^igel, Adam 
M. Wagner, and Henry H. Holzman. The building commit¬ 
tee was appointed at this meeting and was the following: 
John J. Holzman, William Yeakley, Michael Knoll, and Isaac 
K. Derr. John J. Holzman donated the ground on which the 
church was to be built. 

The corner-stone was laid August 24, 1884. Rev. A. 
Finfrock preached the sermon and Revs. A. J. Long, T. C. 
Leinbach, L. D. Stambaugh, Eli Hiester and Aaron Leiss 
were present and took part. The church was completed 
and dedicated on July 19, 1885. Rev. A. Finfrock and Rev. 
T. C. Leinbach officiated, the latter preaching the sermon. 
Rev. D. D. Trexler and Rev. H. J. Welker preached during 
the day. 

The church building was erected before the congrega¬ 
tions were organized. Accordingly on November 22, 1885. 
Rev. B. E. Kramlich, president of the Conference, organized 
the Lutheran congregation. The first Church Council con¬ 
sisted of the following: Trustees, David W. Lengel, and 
Frank Schaeffer; Elders, William Yeakley and Adam L. 
Gottschall; Deacons, J. Adam Holzman and J. Adam Miller. 

In 1913 the church was renovated. A metal ceiling 


303 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


was put in. The church was frescoed and recarpeted. In 
1918 the pipe organ of Zion Union Church of Womelsdorf 
was bought and installed at a cost of over S800. In 1921 a 
new furnace was installed. 

Rev. A. J. Long supplied the pulpit for a short time 
and then became the pastor. He served the congregation 
until his death September 13, 1908. The congregation was 


- : V 





ST. FAUL’S CHURCH. SCHAEFFERSTOWX 


then supplied by different men. In January, 1911, Rev. W. 
K. Fisher became the pastor and served a little more than 
a year. 

Rev. W. S. Dry then preached for seven months. Sup¬ 
plies followed this until the fall of 1913 when this church 
was included in the newly-formed Strausstown parish. Rev. 
Ira W. Klick became pastor March 1, 1914 and has been 


304 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS CO U X T Y 


serving ever since. 

The Rev. F. W. Ruth is the present Reformed pastor. 
The building is a two-storv brick church, in excellent 
repair, with all the conveniences of a modern church, and 
free of debt. 

A successful and flourishing Sunday School has been 
conducted in this town since before the church was built. 
After the church was completed the Sunday School was 
moved into the church building. 

CHRIST, STOUCHSBURG 

C HRIST Evangelical Lutheran Church on the Tulpe- 
hocken is located in Marion township, Berks county. 
There is a record of a settlement of the Palatinates 
who had journeyed from Schoharie, New York, to the mouth 
of the Swatara and reached Tulpehocken in 1723, and a later 
arrival and settlement of other Palatinates also from Scho¬ 
harie in 1728. These settlements were followed by those of 
German immigrants, who landed in Philadelphia and sought 
cheaper though good land beyond that settled by the earlier 
immigrants. During the twenty years preceding the or¬ 
ganization of the congregation these early settlements had 
grown rapidly. In the hearts of these honest, God-fearing 
people was a desire to have a house of worship and the ad¬ 
vantages of a Christian school. A log church building had 
already been erected and dedicated in 1727, but the ‘Tulpe¬ 
hocken Confusion” led to the organization and establishment 
of Christ Church, whose records date from its organization 
in 1743 and have been kept with care and labor. The fol- 
* lowing entry appears on the third page: “After the Evan¬ 
gelical Lutheran congregation in Tulpehocken had by God’s 
blessing grown considerably and also on land secured for 
Lutheran services near the mill, where Mill Creek flows 
into the Tulpehocken, erected a church, built of wood and 
secured the vessels for Baptism and the Lord's Supper, the 
land and church building passed unexpectedly into the hands 
of the Moravian brethern.” The Lutherans were required 
to secure another house of worship. Christian Lauer, Jacob 
Fisher and George Unruh gave each voluntarily and in 


305 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Christian love and liberality five acres of land for one 
shilling as a present. It was specified that in the church 
building erected on this land “the Word of God, both the 
Old and New Testament, but particularly on Sundays and 
Festival days, the Gospels and Epistles appointed in the 
Christian Churches in ancient days shall be purely read as 



CHRIST CHURCH, STOUCHSBCRG 

God’s Word and explained and presented to the congrega¬ 
tion. In like manner shall the Holy Sacrament of Baptism, 
and the Lord’s Supper be administered according to the 
Words of Administration without adulteration.” In an 
opening made in two stones, one laid upon another, in a wal¬ 
nut box were deposited the following—a Bible, containing 


30G 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


the Gospel bound in leather, a bottle of water, some wheat 
bread and a bottle containing wine. 

The Reverend Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, patriarch 
of the Lutheran Church in America had arrived in Philadel¬ 
phia on November 25, 1742, and appeared in the summer of 
1743 for the first time in the Tulpehocken region, where 
he found the people divided in regard to Pastor Stoever. 
Muhlenberg became acquainted with Conrad Weiser, who 
was opposed to both Leutbecker and Stoever. Upon the 
advice of Muhlenberg the Rev. Tobias Wagner was called. 
Pastor Wagner had come as a Lutheran minister from 
Wuertenberg via New England. In the summer of 1743 
under the building committee, consisting of Abraham Lauk 
and Michael Mueller the church building was erected. The 
building was solemnly consecrated December 25, 1743. 
Pastor Wagner served until April 3, 1746. His pastorate 
seems not to have been marked by that harmony between 
pastor and people, which is important for the growth of the 
Church. Muhlenberg tried to reconcile the parties and did 
what he could to bring all to an agreeable understanding. 
Pastor Wagner labored in other parts of Pennsylvania and 
finally returned to Wuertenberg, where he died in 1779. 
Pastor Wagner’s entries in the Church Record are baptisms 
72, marriages 18, confirmations 23, communicants 195. 
No burials are recorded during his pastorate. Among the 
marriage entries is one of peculiar interest and importance. 
It is recorded in the year 1745 as follows—“Se Wol. Ehr* 
werden Herr Heinrich Melchior Muehlenberg best verdien- 
ter Lutherischer Prediger des—, mit Jungfer Anna Maria 
Weiserin des Hoch Edeln H. Justus Conrad Weiser’s allhier 
H. ledige Tochter proclaimirt und copulirt Freitags nach 
Ostern.” The following Deacons served during this pas¬ 
torate—Andreas Wolf, Johann Nicolaus Schwengel, and 
George Lechner, Michael Naef, George Graef, Adam Lasch, 
and Balthasar Anspach. The congregation was supplied 
by Muhlenberg and his colaborers, Peter Brumholtz and 
Johann Nicolaus Kurtz, John Helfrich Schaum. Johann 
Nicolaus Kurtz came to the Tulpehocken in December, 1746, 
and had at first his home with Conrad Weiser. He preached 
regularly at Christ Church and at Lancaster, Pa., spending 


307 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTS 


two Sundays at Tulpehocken and two Sundays at Lancaster. 
The parsonage was erected in February, 1747, at a cost of 
103 pounds, 2 shillings, 2 pence. It was first occupied by 
Pastor Kurtz on September 5, 1747. On December 9, 1747. 
Pastor Kurtz was married at New Hanover to Anna Eliza¬ 
beth Seidel. Pastor Muhlenberg performed the ceremony. 
Pastor Kurtz was the first man to be ordained by the Minis- 
terium of Pennsylvania. This took place at its first meet- 



"FIRST 


l’ARKONA E ANT' 'FORTIFICATION OF CHRIST ‘CHURCH 
MARRIED IN THIS HOUSE APRIL 22, 1 74y.” 


MU1ILIENBERG 


ing held August 25, 1748 in St. Michael’s Church, Philadel¬ 
phia, upon the request of the congregations. This request 
was signed by Johann Nicolaus Schwengel, Adam Loesch, 
Balthasar Anspach and Johannes Immel of the Church 
Council of Christ Church at Tulpehocken, and also by Adam 


308 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Laub and Martin Batorf, Deacons at Tulpehocken and An¬ 
dreas Boyer, Deacon of Nord Kiel (Bernville). 

Further improvements were made to the church prop¬ 
erty in 1747. There was subscribed 14 pounds, 4 shillings 
and 6 pence. Conrad Weiser in 1747 advanced money to 
furnish the church building with pews. The church was 
fully completed by 1751. The organ was secured from John 



SECOND PARSONAGE, STANDING NEAR CHURCH. BIRTHPLACE OF GOVERNOR 

SCHULZE. 

Clem in Philadelphia for 127 pounds, 3 shillings, 4 pence. 
Subscriptions were received in 1755 for the erection of a 
wall to enclose the burial ground. The congregation began 
the erection of a new schoolhouse in 1758. In 1763 the 
congregation purchased 15 acres and 60 rods from Peter 
Leddermann for 92 pounds. Parsonage repairs, etc., were 
made in 1764 at an expense of 34 pounds, 12 shillings, 1 
pence. Pastor Kurtz was pastor of Christ Church, the 
Church at Nord Kiel, Bernville and Reed’s Church from 
his ordination in 1748, of the Corner Church from 1750 and 
of Altohce, Rehrersburg, until 1770, when he removed to 
York. The Pastoral Record of 1748-1770 shows the activity 


309 

















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Pastor Kurtz was succeeded in February, 1771 by Pas- 
of Pastor Kurtz: baptisms 983; confirmations 458; mar¬ 
riages 51; burials 52. 

tor Christoph Emmanuel Schulze, who served as pastor of 
this charge for 38 years, until his death on March 9, 1809. 
Pastor Schulze in 1776 married Eve Elizabeth, a daughter 
of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg. John Andrew Melchior 
the third child of their marriage was licensed in 1796, or¬ 
dained in 1800 and assisted his father, but later resigned 
because of ill health. John Andrew Melchior Schulze was 
twice elected governor of his native state. Pastor Schulze 
served this parish during the eventful years of the War of 
Independence 1775-1783. The Church Record shows the fol¬ 
lowing pastoral acts during these years—baptisms 2313, 
confirmations 915, marriages 1589, and there were only 37 
burials, which have been recorded. 

Rev. Daniel Ulrich was elected and succeeded as pastor 
in July, 1811. Some of the congregations had opposed him 
at first, but finally united in the call. Others, namely 
Womelsdorf, Myerstown and Schaefferstown positively de¬ 
clined to unite in it and formed a separate parish under 
Rev. William Beatis. Pastor Ulrich served Christ Church. 
Zion (Reed's), Rehrersburg, Heidelberg, St. Daniel’s and 
Newmanstown about forty years. During his years of activ¬ 
ity the following pastoral acts are recorded—baptisms 2071, 
confirmations 3144, marriages 1108, burials 1697. A new 
organ built by Joel Krause of Allentown, Pa., was secured 
in 1837. During his pastorate the War of 1812-14 was 
fought between the United States and England. Pastor 
Ulrich died June 2, 1855 and was buried on Christ Church 
Cemetery. 

Rev. Lewis G. Eggers was elected pastor of the Tulpe- 
hocken charge in 1852 and served faithfully until April, 
1867, when he retired from the active ministry because of 
ill health. In this parish, Pastor Eggers baptized 1285, 
confirmed 748, married 424, buried 624. A belfry with 
steeple and a 1500 pound bell w T ere added in August, 1855. 
The pastorate of Rev. Eggers was marked by the terrible 
Civil War period 1861-65, when he was frequently called 


310 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


upon to minister to the distressed and deeply afflicted 
families. 

The Reverend Frederick P. Mayser was elected pastor 
in June, 1868, and continued until February 1, 1874. The 
Church Record shows the following ministerial acts—bap¬ 
tisms 210, confirmations 141, marriages 39, burials 114. 

The Reverend A. Johnson Long was elected pastor in 
1874 and came to the parish from the Seminary. The 
church was damaged by a heavy dynamite explosion on 
November 6, 1884. It was remodeled at an expense of 
S6500 and dedicated on December 26, 1885. The building 
committee was John L. Moyer, Isaac Lebo, John L. Fisher, 
Morris Scharf and Levi Moyer. This fine historic and 
renovated church was struck by lightning on August 1, 
1887 at 9:30 P. M. and in a few hours only the four walls 
were left. The new bell was consecrated on June 16, 1888, 
the Sunday School room, June 17, and the Church on Octo¬ 
ber 7. The loss had been partly covered by S6500 insurance. 
The total cost of rebuilding was $7500. The building com¬ 
mittee was Jacob Schaeffer, Morris Scharf and John Hoff¬ 
man. A new cemetery was opened in 1879. The cemetery 
was north of the church. The large pipe organ was con- 



NEW PARSONAGE IN STOUCHSBURG 


311 
















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


secrated on Ascension Day, May 15, 1890. The Sesqui-cen- 
tennial Anniversary was observed September 3, 1893. Pas¬ 
tor Long served this congregation until his death in 1909. 
The ministerial acts of Pastor Long in the Parish Record 
as they are carefully recorded are as follows—baptisms 
1338, confirmations 1082, marriages 1027, burials 937. 

The Reverend William S. Dry was elected pastor and 
served from June 13, 1909 until October 29, 1921 when he 
resigned to accept a call to become pastor of the Maxatawny- 
Mertztown parish. The splendid parsonage was erected in 
1914 at an expense of $5500. The church and parsonage 
are free of debt. The following ministerial acts were per¬ 
formed: baptisms 402, confirmations 276, marriages 184, 
burials 355. The members of the building committee for 
the parsonage erected in Stouchsburg were: Riley Zerbe, 
John Schoener and George McLaughlin. 

The Reverend D. F. Longacre was elected pastor on 
February 12, 1922, and installed by the president of the 
Reading Conference on June 18, 1922. 

Miss Emma Grimes is the efficient organist of this 
congregation. 

Rev. John W. Klingler and Rev. W. K. Fisher are sons 
of the congregation in the ministry. 

ALTALAHA, REHRERSBURG 

name Altohoe was given to the region comprised 
il in the tract of land that was laid out for Richard 
Penn on the northeast branch of the Swahataweo 
Creek and pertains particularly to the Lutheran congrega¬ 
tion established in that region about 1746 to 1750, now 
known as Aitalaha Lutheran Church at the western end of 
Rehrersburg. There was given to that congregation a 
tract of four acres out of the northwestern portion of John 
Wolfart’s tract of one hundred-sixty-six acres. According 
to the plan of the manor, the Lutheran church at Rehrers¬ 
burg was about 2% miles from the northern boundary of 
the manor, almost 1% miles from the eastern boundary, 2 
miles from the southern boundary and about 11/2 miles from 
the western boundary. 

It is quite likely that the Church was already organized 


312 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


about 1746-1750 for in the private records of Pastor John 
Caspar Stoever we find credited to Altohoe between the 
years 1746-1763 the following ministerial acts: marriages 
41, baptisms 106. A church book for the purpose of record- 


? 



ALTALAHA CHURCH, REHRERSBURG 


ing therein the baptisms by the pastors of what is now the 
Altalaha Lutheran congregation was purchased and the 
records begin with the year 1757. “Im Namen Gottes des 
Vaters, des Sohnes and des Heiligen Geistes ist dieses 
Kirchen Buch im Jahr 1757 von gut hertzigen und Christ- 


313 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


lich Ordnung Liebenden Leuden zu unserer Evange- 
lisch Lutherische Kirchen all hier an der Bieber 
Creek erkauft werden von denen damaligen Kirch- 
enforsteher als Thomas Kurr und Abraham Schneid¬ 
er von Christlichen Hertzen zur Ehre Gottes ercol- 
lectiert werden, naemlich zu dem Ende dass alle 
Kinder welche von unsern Herrn Pfarrer und in unsere 
bemaeldigen Kirchen zur Heiligen Tauf gebracht werden, 
in dem jedem zu seinem besten in dieses Buch einge- 
schrieben wereden soil.” Rev. Johann Nicolaus Kurtz, the 
first pastor of this congregation wrote on the title page of 
the Church Record in large letters “Soli Deo Gloria”. In 
1765 Henry Holzman granted to the Trustees, Christian 
Moyer, Ulrich Fisher, Jacob Reed and Thomas Kurr 21/2 
acres for school purposes. Sebastian Brosius added 60 rods 
and Godfrey Roehrer 38 rods and in 1786 four acres more 
and later still more land was added until there was about 
13 acres. In 1765, a two-story meeting-house of logs, which 
stood about 100 feet west of the present building was com¬ 
pleted for worship. This old log church was demolished 
about 1810 and the material was used for the building 
of a residence near the center of the town. The present 
church edifice, built of brick, was erected in 1808. Each 
member was to pay one-third of his subscription on January 
1, 1808; one-third when the church was under roof; and 
the last third upon the day of dedication. In addition, 
the members further promised to haul stones and building 
material and work for a certain number of days. The mem¬ 
bers of the Reformed Church were to have a voice in the 
Church, to have their own pastor and to preach, baptize, 
and have Communion as often as they wished except when 
the Lutherans have service. The Reformed were further¬ 
more to have the right to use the cemetery. But the records 
do not show that the Reformed worshiped regularly in this 
church. The members of the building committee were Dan¬ 
iel Hoffman, Thomas Kurr, Jacob Artzt, John Emerick, 
Gottfried Riehl, Martin Walborn and Henry Walborn. 
George Malsberger had charge of the masons and John 
Weber of the carpenters. The first steeple, which was 
built in 1849, was removed in 1882 and another built. A 


314 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


fine bell was added to the church property at this time. 
The church was enlarged and remodeled in 1886 at an ex¬ 
pense of $8,000. The basement was consecrated on October 
31, 1886 and the church was consecrated on May 14, 1887. 

Some 30 years after the church was built, about 1795, 
a parochial school was established and a two-roomed house 
of logs built for the purpose. The congregation had the 
same pastors as Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church on 
the Tulpehocken. The church is free of debt. Revs. J. J. 
Kline and S. B. Stupp have entered and are serving in the 
ministry. Miss Emma Grimes is the organist. 

The following pastors have served here: Revs. John 
Nicolaus Kurtz, 1757-1770; C. E. Schulze, 1771-1809; Daniel 
Ulrich, 1811-1851; L. G. Eggers, 1852-1867; F. P. Mayser, 
1868-1874; A. Johnson Long, 1875-1909; W. S. Dry, 1909- 
1921; D. F. Longacre, 1922 to—. 


ST. ELIAS, NEWMANSTOWN 



T. ELIAS Evangelical Lutheran Church is situated 
in Newmanstown, in the northeast corner of Mill 
Creek township, Lebanon county, in the beautiful and 
historic Lebanon valley. The town is a thriving industrial 
center and possesses a progressive community spirit. 

In accordance with a deed executed on December 13, 
1822, one-half acre of land was sold by Peter and Catharine 
Zeller to John Schultz and George Unruh for 16 pounds. 
This land was to be used for school purposes. Upon this 
land there was erected a schoolhouse, which was used both 
for church and school purposes. The members of the Luth¬ 
eran and Reformed Church filed an application with the 
proper authorities of Lebanon county and were incorporated 
as Elias Church on November 17, 1843. The charter was 
read on January 27, 1844 before 37 members, who signified 
their approval of the same. At a union congregational 
meeting on October 8, 1884, the following men were elected 
to constitute a building committee: Isaac M. Gerhard, Ben¬ 
jamin Richard, George Schock and John Person. By a vote 
of 22 for and 11 against, it was decided to build a Sunday 
School room under the church. For a site upon which to 


315 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


erect a Lutheran and Reformed Church there was pur¬ 
chased from John and Anna Zellers 481/2 perches of land 
for $25.76. The trustees representing the joint Church 
Councils were Isaac M. Gerhard, Frederick Schultz, Samuel 
Lapse and Daniel Geiss. Rev. Daniel Ulrich served the 



ST. ELIAS CHURCH, NEWMANSTOWN 

Lutheran congregation and Rev. Augustus C. Pauli served 
the Reformed congregation at this time. The schoolhcuse 
was sold for $101. The new edifice cost about $10,000 and 
the bell $235. The Church building was completely re¬ 
modeled in 1905 during the pastorate of Rev. Long. This 
renovation cost $13,575 (building $11,000; organ $1800; 
bell $525 and pews $450). The church is free of debt. 


316 













LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Assisting the church in its work is a union Sunday School, 
which is a center of real Christian zeal and activity and 
assists in the teaching function of the Church. A great 
deal of splendid work is done by a Luther League and Young 
People’s Society, both of which seek to train leaders for 
the work of the Church. Under the capable leadership 
of Paul Witter a splenidly trained choir greatly assists in 
the rendition of the services, and furnishes beautiful spe¬ 
cial music. 

The Rev. A. J. Bachman has served the Reformed congre¬ 
gation since 1878. 

The following have been the Lutheran pastors: Revs. 
Daniel Ulrich, 1821-1851; L. G. Eggers, 1852-1867; E. P. 
Mayser, 1868-1874; A. Johnson Long, 1874-1909; W. S. 
Dry, 1909-1921; D. F. Longacre, 1922 to—. 

ST. PAUL’S, MILLBACH 

T. PAUL’S Evangelical Lutheran Church is situated 
GSt in Mill Creek township, Lebanon county, on the road 
leading from Newmanstown to Schaefferstown. This 
valley lies beneath Eagle’s Peak where on March 22, 1751 
the venerable Patriarch Henry Melchior Muhlenberg to¬ 
gether with Rev. J. C. Hartwig of Otsego county, New 
York, and Rev. P. Brumholtz, pastor of the Lutheran Church 
and Conrad Weiser journeyed after a pastoral conference 
held at the home of Conrad Weiser. Records show that 
the first church in the Mill Creek valley was organized here 
in the year 1747 and that the first building was erected in 
1753. This was a rude log meeting-house and was followed 
by a frame church, which in 1790 was replaced by the 
present stone structure. The land was donated by a Mr. 
Miller with the understanding that a stone church should 
be erected and that those uniting in its construction should 
have the privilege of worship. But the members of the 
Lutheran faith had just united with and pledged their sup¬ 
port to Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church on the Tulpe- 
hocken and had assisted in the building of a church at that 
place in 1743. The church was erected and was Reformed 
until the year 1853, when the Lutheran and Reformed mem¬ 
bers united and drew up a constitution. The church was 


317 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


remodeled and by the expenditure of several thousand dol¬ 
lars was changed into a modern church building with its 
stately walls and beautifully arranged interior. The church 
building was rededicated on November 27, 1853. The Rev¬ 
erend L. G. Eggers in 1854 accepted a call and became the 
first regular Lutheran pastor of this congregation. 

Among the members who labored faithfully and who 



ST. PAUL’S' CHURCH. MILLBACH 

were instrumental in this union of the two congregations 
were: Michael Holstem, John Holstein, Peter Reiser, John 
Zimmerman, George Zimmerman, John Hartman and Jona¬ 
than Illig. The present building was enlarged and im¬ 
proved at considerable expense and dedicated May 31, 1891. 
The members of the building committee were: Capt. John C. 


318 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Batdorf, E. R. Illig, H. L. Illig, and Edward J. Hartman. 
Special aid was offered at the time of this rebuilding by 
Jacob Shaak, M. M. Moore, George S. Moore, John B. Moore 
and Edward S. Moore. 

Though not strong numerically, this congregation 
. rightly prides itself upon the fact that it is free of debt 
and that it labors faithfully, contributes regularly and gives 
to the Church in spirit and labor that which it lacks in 
numerical strength. Miss Lucy M. Wolfskill is the organist. 

The Rev. A. J. Bachman has served the Reformed con¬ 
gregation since 1878. 

The following have served the Lutheran congregation: 
Revs. L. G. Eggers, 1854-1867; F. P. Mayser, 1868-1874; A. 
Johnson Long, 1874-1909; W. S. Dry, 1909 to 1921; D. F. 
Longacre, 1922 to—. 



CHRIST CHURCH, ROCKLAND 


CHRIST, ROCKLAND TOWNSHIP 


z^|fc^HIS congregation was organized early in the year 
if 1747 by Rev. Tobias Wagner. The first church was 
erected in 1747 on three-fourths of an acre of land 
donated by Henry Mertz in the spring of 1747. Like many 
of the first church buildings of that period, it was built of 


319 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


logs and was ready for use by fall of the same year. The 
people, had, however, secured a church home, humble as it 
was, in which God’s Word could be preached and the Sacra¬ 
ments could be administered according to the divine insti¬ 
tution. The first church building remained unfinished for 
a long time, for it was not completed before the year 1759. 
Papers show that as early as 1748, 28 acres of land were 
surveyed for the congregation. Subsequently some of this 
land was sold, leaving more than 20 acres for the Church. 

The second church building was erected in the year 
1764 during the pastorate of Rev. Johann Helfrich Schaum. 
The corner-stone was laid June 1, 1764. Among the papers 
preserved by the congregation is a copy of the declaration 
made and deposited in the corner-stone. The declaration 
shows the doctrinal basis of the congregation, the unaltered 
Augsburg confession and other symbolical books, according 
to which the word of God was to be preached and the sacra¬ 
ments administered as long as the sun and moon and house 
should stand. The corner-stone was laid on Trinity Sunday, 
and the following articles were deposited in the corner¬ 
stone: a copy of Luther’s Catechism, a copy of the Bible, 
some wafers and wine and a copy of the declaration. The 
declaration states that this was done during the reign of 
the most gracious king of England, George the Third. The 
document closes with the words, “God preserve the king,’’ 
and was signed by Johann Helfrich Schaum, pastor. 

The second church was built in as much as the first 
church was too small to accommodate the congregation, the 
number of whose members had greatly increased. The con¬ 
gregation worshiped in the first church building during the 
fearful French and Indian War of 1755-1763. The second 
church was erected after the close of the French and Indian 
War. George Schaeffer, Sr., Henry Mertz, John Bieber, 
George Hoeffer and Jacob Freu constituted the building 
committee. In this second church the fathers worshiped 
from 1764-1798, a period of 34 years. 

During these 34 years the following pastors ministered 
to the congregation: J. Helfrich Schaum, Daniel Lehman, 
and possibly Charles Frederick Wildbahn. The members of 
the congregation had many varied experiences. Continued 


320 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


labors were necessary to cultivate the soil and to bring new 
lard under cultivation. The people rejoiced when the 
French and Indian War had closed, but a decade thereafter 
the relation of the colony to the English government became 
very threatening. The eight long years of the Revolution¬ 
ary War brought painful separations in many households 
and the sacrifice of life and property. The close of the 
war brought peace and joy, but also the dire results of war. 
The war for independence cut off the supply of ministers 
from the Fatherland and necessitated the training of minis¬ 
ters in this country. In the nineties of the last century the 
United States also felt the influence of French infidelity 
and German rationalism. When Zion’s Lutheran Church, 
of Philadelphia, was on fire in 1794, men used every effort 
and succeeded in extinguishing the fire, but from a large 
crowd who did nothing to save the church came the cry, 
“Let the church burn down.” 

The third church building, was erected in 1798, 51 years 
after the erection of the first church building. The neces¬ 
sity had, however, again arisen for a larger building and 
the fathers of 1798 determined to erect a large and sub¬ 
stantial church building to stand by God’s favor a century 
and longer. 

On May 12, 1799, the proposition to the congregation to 
apply for the incorporation of the congregation was signed 



THE OLD MERTZ CHURCH 

321 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


by Philip Mertz, Conrad Ernst, George Drey, Theobold 
Bieber, Jacob Bieber, Peter Fisher, Jacob Heinrich, Abra¬ 
ham Bieber and Peter Weyda. The petition for the charter 
was signed November 25, 1799, by 68 persons. The charter 
was prepared in English and German. 

The charter contained the following names: Charles 
Frederick Wildbahn, pastor; Conrad Ernst, Theobold Bieber, 
Jacob Bieber, Abraham Bieber, wardens; Philip Mertz, 
George Frey, Henry Fisher, Peter Fisher, Frederick Bauer, 
George Sell, Anthony Heffner, John Hilbert and William 
Mertz, present vestrymen. 

The records show that on March 9, 1827, an agreement 
was made with Andreas Krause for an organ of 10 stops, 
the price of the organ to be $608, the organ to be ready for 
consecration on Whitsunday. The agreement was signed 
by Andreas Krause, George Beck, Adam Friederich, and the 
witnesses were August Schuckart and George Herlein. 

The third church was built in 1798 and the organ 
secured in 1827. The building was used 61 years and nec¬ 
essary repairs were no doubt made from time to time. In 
the year 1859 the church building was renovated, new floor¬ 
ing and new pews replaced the old. The chancel was 
changed and a fine railing added. The old wineglass pulpit 
was removed and a new pulpit erected. 

In the year 1873 a new organ was secured and conse¬ 
crated. A steeple and bell were added and the church was 
frescoed in 1879. In 1895 the fine wooden ceiling, the fres¬ 
coing of the walls and new carpets constituted the last reno¬ 
vation of the church. 

When the first church was built on the three-quarters 
of an acre of ground, donated by Henry Mertz, the congre¬ 
gation soon also secured between 20 and 30 acres of ground, 
a part of which was made a “God’s acre.” 

The following pastors served here:—Rev. Tobias Wag¬ 
ner, 1747-1759; Rev. Johann Helfrich Schaum, 1760-1778; 
Rev. Daniel Lehman, 1778-1793, and possibly later. (Rev. 
Henry Muhlenberg, Jr., V. D. M., who signed the account 
of the annual statment in 1779,. was no doubt a supply for 
Pastor Lehman.) Rev. Charles Frederick Wildbahn, 1798 
or ’99-1801; Rev. Daniel Lehman as supposed, between 1801 


322 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


and 1810; Rev. Johann Knoske, 1811-1837; Rev. Isaac Roel- 
ler, 1838 or '9-1860; Rev. Benjamin E. Kramlich, 1860-1900; 
Rev. A. C. Schenck, 1900-1902; Rev. J. O. Henry, 1902- 
1909; Rev. Wm. H. Kline, 1909 to—. 

The one hundredth anniversary of the erection of the 
third church building was fittingly observed, Sunday, Sep¬ 
tember 11, 1898. A son of the congregation, Rev. Benj. G. 
Welder, of Reamstown, delivered the morning sermon. He 
took for his text the 100th Psalm. His discourse was in 
German. At 2 p. m. the services were resumed. After a 
selection by the choir, reading of the Scriptures, etc., Rev. 
F. J. F. Schantz, D. D., of Myerstown, historian of the 
Lutheran Ministerium, delivered the historical sermon. In 
the evening Rev. C. F. Dry, of Mifflinville, Pa., another 
son of Rockland township and catechumen of Rev. B. E. 
Kramlich, delivered an English sermon. His text was 
Zacharias 6:13. Rev. F. K. Bernd, a member of the faculty 
of the Keystone State Normal School, was in attendance 
all day and assisted in the exercises. At noon, when the 
large crowd was gathering, the old church bell tolled 100 
strokes in honor of the occasion. The centennial celebra¬ 
tion was proposed by Rev. B. E. Kramlich who was then 
pastor and through his efforts became such a great success. 
He conducted the affair most gracefully. 

On February 14, 1915, the congregation, by a large 
majority, decided to build a new church. April 11, 1915, 
after the Communion services, ground was broken for the 
erection of the new edifice. A short liturgical service was 
held outside of the church. After prayer, Rev. Kline turned 
the first shovelful of ground, followed by the elders and 
deacons and members of the Church. Among those from 
a distance was District Attorney Harry D. Schaeffer, of 
Reading, whose mother and grandparents were active mem¬ 
bers of the Church. 

The corner-stone laying took place on June 20, 1915. 
It attracted upwards of 1200 people. Services were held 
in the morning and afternoon. Four pastors participated. 
A canvas roof had been erected over the first floor of the 
proposed edifice and this served as a shelter against the hot 
sun. 


323 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The ceremonies prescribed in the Lutheran Church 
Book were conducted at the close of the regular service in 
the afternoon by the pastor, Rev. William H. Kline, of Top- 
ton. He was assisted by Rev. Charles E. Kistler, of Reading, 
president of the Reading Conference; Rev. J. 0. Henry, su¬ 
perintendent of the Lutheran Orphans’ Home of Topton, 
who was formerly pastor of the local congregation; and 
Rev. A. C. Schenck, of Philadelphia, who served as Rev. 
Henry’s predecessor. 

The morning service was in charge of the pastor and 
was conducted in the English language. Rev. Schenck 
preached the sermon, basing his remarks on the text Cor. 
9:10. 

The afternoon service was conducted in the German 
language. The choir opened by singing an anthem, “When 
the Lord Shall Build.” The Rev. C. E. Kistler, president 
of the Reading Conference, preached from Isaiah 28:16. 
He was followed by a German address delivered by Rev. J. 
0. Henry, former pastor. After the singing of another 
anthem and hymn, the corner-stone was formally laid. 

The new church costing $11,000.00 was dedicated on 
Whitsunday, June 11, 1916. The pastor, Rev. William H. 
Kline, conducted the rites in conformity with the Lutheran 
custom, and Rev. Robert B. Lynch, of Kutztown, president 
of the Reading Conference, preached the sermon. The fol¬ 
lowing pastors were present: Revs. Kline, Lynch, W. F. 
Bond, C. E. Kistler, J. O. Hbnry, George B. Smith, Charles 
F. Dry, and William S. Dry, Judge of the Orphans’ Court, 
Harry D. Schaeffer, was present and delivered a brief 
address in the afternoon. Rev. Lynch’s text for the con¬ 
secration sermon was taken from Col. 1:17-18. He preached 
in English. At the forenoon service Rev. Charles F. Dry 
read the Scripture lesson and Rev. Henry offered prayer. 
In the afternoon Rev. Lynch was in charge of the devotional 
exercises. The Scripture lesson was read by Rev. Henry. 
Rev. Kistler delivered a sermon in the German language. 
His theme was based on Acts 2:1-11. Rev. J. O. Henry 
spoke briefly and Rev. W. F. Bond, pastor of the New Jeru¬ 
salem congregation, made a short address. In the evening 
the sermon was preached by the Rev. Charles F. Dry, whose 


324 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


text was Psalm 147, verse 2. The Fleetwood male chorus 
assisted the choir. 

The congregation has given five of its sons for the min¬ 
istry: The Revs. Benjamin G. Welder, ordained 1886, died 
April 28, 1921; Charles F. Dry, ordained 1890; Charles G. 
Heffner, ordained 1908; Dr. Clarence E. Reiser, ordained 
1908; and William S. Dry, ordained 1909. 

An all day program featured the celebration of the 
175th anniversary of the founding of the congregation 
with services morning, afternoon and evening on Sunday, 
November 26, 1922. At the morning service the Sunday 
School marqhed into the Church in a body. The sermon was 
preached by the Rev. Charles F. Dry, of Miffinville, a son 
of the congregation. His text was Mark 10:14. The Rev. 
J. S. Stahr, of the Oley Reformed Church delivered an ad¬ 
dress at this service. 

At 12 o’clock, noon, the bell rang for three minutes in 
honor of the occasion, followed by 30 seconds of silence. 
The afternoon services were the most largely attended dur¬ 
ing the day. The Rev. H. A. Weller, D. D., president of the 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania, delivered the chief address. 
Other speakers were Judge Harry D. Schaeffer, and Revs. 
J. O. Henry, C. G. Heffner, Dr. C. E. Reiser, R. B. Lynch, 
J. B. Landis. 

Messrs. Ernest J. Stansfield and A. H. Smith brought 
greetings from St. Paul’s, Fleetwood and Trinity, Topton. 
The Rev. W. S. Dry, of Rutztown, another son of the con¬ 
gregation was the speaker at the evening service. He took 
for his text Gen. 7:1. 

ST. PAUL’S, FLEETWOOD 

N THE spring of 1841, the religiously inclined people 
^1 of Coxtown and vicinity bought two acres of land 
from Benjamin Hoch, for the sum of forty dollars, 
midway between Coxtown (Fleetwood since the coming of 
the railroad) and Walnuttown and commenced the erection 
of a union church for the use of a Lutheran and a Reformed 
congregation. On the 25th day of April, 1841, the corner¬ 
stone was laid in the name of God, the Father, Son and 
Holy Ghost. In said corner-stone was placed the Church 


325 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Government (as then adopted) besides a Holy Bible, a 
Lutheran and Reformed catechism, etc. At these religious 
ceremonies the following ministers were present and offi¬ 
ciated: Revs. Isaac Roeller and Daniel Kohler, Lutheran; 
and Revs. Charles G. Herman and Isaac Miese, Reformed. 
The same day the Church ordinances were adopted and re¬ 
mained unchanged until the fall of 1879, when three addi¬ 
tional articles were formulated and adopted. The said 



ST. PAUL’S CHURCH. FLEETWOOD 

amended ordinances were printed in pamphlet form in 1880, 
and remained the same until 1919, when each congregation 
adopted its own constitution. In the same year the “union 
treasury” was discontinued and each congregation elected 
its own treasurer and agreed to pay one-half of all expenses. 

Christian A. Scheick was the contractor and builder 
of said church. It cost something over three thousand dol¬ 
lars, but the contractor claimed to have lost money. 

The first regular ordained Lutheran minister was Rev. 
Isaac Roeller of Kutztown, and remained the pastor until 
the year 1860, when he desired to retire from the ministry 


326 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


on account of old age. He had served the congregation 
from its origin until his retirement, to the full satisfaction 
of the entire congregation. The Rev. Benjamin E. Kram- 
lich was chosen as his successor and served until June 1, 
1900. The first elders were: John Schlegel and Solomon Bor- 
kert. The first trustees were: Henry Seidel and Reuben 
Scholl. The first deacons were: John Gauker, Henry Ret- 
tinger, George Scholl and Levi Boyer. The first treasurer 
was Reuben Scholl and served from 1841 to 1844. 

In the year 1859 the pipe organ in use at present was 
purchased from Samuel Bohler of Reading, Pa., who was 
the builder, for the sum of S800. The organ was dedicated 
in the summer of 1859, about the time the East Penn Rail¬ 
road was being completed. The Railroad Company ran 
excursion trains from Reading and from Millerstown (now 
Macungie) as the road was not finished to Allentown. There 
was such an immense crowd of people from both directions 
of the road that several extra trains had to be run, and 
Fleetwood was crowded with visitors and entirely unable 
to accommodate the people. It was the greatest day and 
crowd that Fleetwood ever had before or since. The Ring- 
gold Band of Reading furnished music. Prior to the year 
1859 no musical instrument was used in the church. Ga¬ 
briel Kline was the first “Foresinger”, and Solomon Miller 
was the first organist and leader of the choir. 

In the year 1880 the church was painted and papered. 
A new shingle roof put on, new hand rails placed at the 
pulpit, and a new rail and banister erected around the altar. 
The cost was about S625.00. In 1887 land was bought from 
Jacob Rothermel, Sr., and sheds erected thereon at a cost 
of S445. In 1893 two acres of land was bought from Joel 
Wartzluft adjoining the old church yard for the sum of 
S450.00, for a cemetery, the same was then graded, laid out 
into lots and fenced, which when completed had cost SHOO. 
The said cemetery was dedicated on May 3, 1894, when the 
following ministers took part: Rev. Gerhard of Lancaster, 
Rev. Brownmiller of Reading, Pa., assisted by the regular 
ministers, Revs. B. E. Kramlich and M. H. Brensinger. On 
March 31, 1917, the cemetery was enlarged by purchasing 
3 1-10 acres from Mrs. Catharine Merkel for the sum of 


327 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


$695. The same was consecrated on May 27, 1917. The 
Rev. J. Franklin Keller of Fogelsville preached the sermon. 
The Rev. Wm. H. Kline and Rev. E. H. Leinbach assisted 
in the service. 

In 1894 heaters were bought and put in the basement 
of the church, one was bought from Levi K. Madeira by the 
St. Paul’s Ladies’ Aid Society and the other one from 
Schaeffer, Merkel & Co., by the congregation. The money 
was raised by collections from its members. In 1921 a pipe¬ 
less heater was bought from Henry King for the sum of 
$435.00. 

In the year 1846 the church was remodeled. New seats 
were placed on the gallery and some on the first floor;-the 
organ platform was lowered, all old windows replaced, new 
pulpit and brass railing erected around the altar, iron posts 
put under gallery, roof at each gable end extended, the win¬ 
dow behind pulpit closed, and the inside and outside of the 
church painted. All of this amounted to $1100.00. The 
church was rededicated December 13, 1896. Revs. F. K. 
Bernd and Nevin Helfrich preached the sermons, assisted 
by Revs. Kramlich and Brensinger. 

ST. PAUL’S CHAPEL 

NUMBER of members of St. Paul’s Union Church 
and their friends started a movement in 1883 to 
erect a chapel for the purpose of carrying on wor¬ 
ship as an organized Christian body. The project culmin¬ 
ated in the erection of a fine brick building on Franklin 
street which was formally dedicated in October, 1884. The 
edifice cost upward of $7,000.00. The land was donated by 
George Scholl. The place of worship is known as St. Paul’s 
chapel. Church services are held regularly. A flourishing 
Sunday School is also maintained and heartily encouraged 
by the members. In 1911, a wing was added at a cost of 
$5200. The organization, under the direction of a board of 
trustees had been carried on successfully until 1921. On 
September 25, 1921, by a decree from the Court of Berks 
county, the Church Council and the Consistory of St. PauPs 
Union Church were given the absolute rights to all matters 
pertaining to St. Paul’s chapel. 


328 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



TRINITY CHURCH TOPTON 

TRINITY, TOPTON 

^Tjry ETWEEN 1865 and 1868, seven persons of this bor- 
J ough gathered to organize a Sunday School. Their 
place of meeting was on the second floor of a leather 
store occupied by C. A. K. Grim. The Sunday School soon 
outgrew this room and so moved to the school building 
located at the corner of Weiss street and the road to the 
reservoir. This building now is the property of Mr. New- 
bold. Once more they moved for lack of space, this time 
into a frame school building located east of the present 
school building on Franklin Street. This building was then 
owned by the Longswamp School District. The school 
board complained that the members of the Sunday School 
were interfering with books and belongings of the school 
children. This complaint together with a few other griev¬ 
ances prompted the town to build an independent school 
building to be known as the “Excelsior Subscription 
School.” This edifice was built in the fall of 1869. No 
school was ever held in it but was used to house the Sun¬ 
day School, and later the Church. Peter Diener, one of 
the trustees, was the first Sunday School superintendent. 
James Butz donated the ground for this building at the 


329 














LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


corner of what is now Franklin and Cherry streets. 
Henry Baer was the first chorister. 

At the time of organization of the Sunday School 
there were occasional church services held in connection 
with the Sunday School. On October 29, 1871, the church 
was organized as St. Peter’s Union Church, with Rev. A. 
J. Herman as the Reformed pastor and Rev. B. E. Kram- 
lich as the Lutheran pastor. They both served the first 
year without remuneration. On March 9, 1872, the con¬ 
stitution was unanimously adopted. On May 9, 1872, the 
corner-stone was laid and the building (erected originally 
as a schoolhouse) was dedicated. The speakers were Dr. 
N. C. Schaeffer, and Rev. Thomas Leinbach. 

The first Lutheran Communion was held May 26, 1872, 
when 18 communed. 

On November 8, 1874 the following were confirmed: 
Edwin W. Dotts, Jonas A. Dotts and Mathias F. Miller. 

During Rev. Schenck’s pastorate there was a meeting 
held for the purpose of organizing a Young People’s Society 
on the evening of February 28, 1901. Meetings were held 
Monday nights. At a meeting held November 2, 1901, it 
was decided to join the district Luther League. Upon this 
occasion the speakers were, George Jones and A. P. Body. 

A congregational meeting of the Lutheran Church was 
held February 14, 1912. At this time a motion was made 
to apply for a charter. 

During January, 1911, the women of the Lutheran con¬ 
gregation formed a society to work to raise funds to aid 
the church. This organization later became the Ladies* 
Mite Society, their constitution being adopted January 24, 
1912. 

Through the efforts of the women of this society sub¬ 
stantial sums were paid toward defraying expenses of the 
church. This society is still an active force in the congre¬ 
gation. 

The date of incorporation is April 1, 1912. At this 
time the name changed to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran 
Church. At a congregational meeting May 8th, 1912, the 
constitution was adopted article by article. On the same 
date, May 8, 1912, the congregation voted unanimously to 


380 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


buy a lot at corner of Smith and Peach streets (now Home 
Avenue). Owing to the forethought of Mrs. C. D. Werley 
this was possible for she had bought it February 23, 1911. 

The first Lutheran Choir was organized January 1914. 
The first meeting of the Lutheran Sunday School was held 
January 25, 1914. The attendance was 123, and the collec¬ 
tion amounted to 88.52. 

On February 23, 1915, in the presence of over 100 peo¬ 
ple ground was broken for the new church to be erected 
on the northeast corner of Peach and Smith streets. The 
pastor of the congregation, Rev. W. H. Kline, invoked God’s 
blessing and conducted a brief service. 

The corner-stone laying was scheduled for June 13, 
1915. About 400 people had gathered for the services at 
2 p. m. The services were to be conducted by Rev. W. H. 
Kline, the local pastor; Rev. J. 0. Henry, from the Topton 
Orphans’ Home, a former pastor; Rev. C. E. Kistler, presi¬ 
dent of the Reading Conference; and Dr. P. C. Croll, of 
Beardstown, Ill. Rev. Kistler had as his text Gen. 28:18-19. 
Rev. Kistler had just opened his discourse when a severe 
storm caused the people to seek shelter. In the evening the 
services were held in St. Peter’s Church where Dr. Croll 
preached on the text taken from 1 Cor. 13:13. Owing to 
the rain on the 13th of June the laying of the corner-stone 
was postponed until Sunday, June 27th. Rev. Kistler 
preached the sermon scheduled for the previous service. 
Rev. J. O. Henry gave a short address, as did also Rev. A. M. 
Weber, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Boyertown. 
The ceremony of laying the corner-stone was performed by 
the pastor, Rev. W. H. Kline. The collection on that day 
amounted to S728.63. The evening service was held in St. 
Peter’s church at which Rev. A. C. Schenck, of Philadel¬ 
phia, a former pastor, preached on the text I. Cor 3:6. 

The church was dedicated, September 24, 1916. At the 
morning service, Rev. J. A. W. Haas, D. D., preached the 
sermon, based on Psalm 84. At the afternoon service Rev. 
S. G. Trexler, of Buffalo, N. Y., spoke and Rev. J. O. Henry, 
extended greetings and congratulations. Rev. R. B. Lynch, 
president of the Conference, extended greetings. At the 
evening service Rev. J. 0. Schlenker, of Grimsville, preached 


331 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


the sermon. A note of sadness was injected into the day, 
due to the fact that the Wednesday preceding the first 
funeral in the church was held, it being that of Martin S. 
Croll, who was president of the Church Council. He had 
taken the initiative in building the church. The building 
is very pretty and substantial. It is of granite, and has a 
modern Sunday School chapel which may be thrown into the 
main building for use on special occasions. It is finished in 
yellow pine and golden oak, and a large 2250 pound bell in 
the corner tower calls the people to worship. The church 
seats about 300 people, and with the annex or Sunday 
School chapel has a combined seating capacity of 700. A 
primary room is in the basement; also rooms for societies 
and social purposes. The church cost about $18,000. 

On October 16, 1916, the 46th session of the Reading 
Conference was held in this church. 

Sermons by former pastors, anthems beautifully ren¬ 
dered by a visiting choir and a large attendance of parish¬ 
ioners at the three services, marked the celebration of the 
fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the congregation, 
on Sunday, November 5, 1922. The pastor was assisted 
during the services of the day by Revs. A. C. Schenck, J. 
O. Henry, and Student Mark K. Trexler, the first and only 
member of the church who has chosen the ministry as his 
life work. One of the features of the service was the music 
rendered by the choir of Christ Lutheran Church, Allen¬ 
town, Pa., under the leadership of Prof. E. B. Kocher. The 
sermon at the morning service was preached by the Rev. 
R. B. Lynch, president of the Reading Conference. The 
afternoon services were featured by addresses by Rev. 
Henry, Student Trexler, Rev. G. B. Smith and Rev. J. B. 
Landis. Greetings were extended by Elton L. Angstadt of 
Christ (Mertz) Church, Dryville, Pa., and Ernest J. Stans- 
field of St. Paul’s Church, Fleetwood, Pa. 

The sermon at the evening service was preached by 
the Rev. A. C. Schenck, of Philadelphia, Pa. 


332 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


ST. DANIEL’S CHURCH NEAR 


ROBESON IA 


ST. DANIEL’S, HEIDELBURG TOWNSHIP 


Lutheran Congregation in Heidelberg Township, 
L\\ named St.. Daniel’s Church and locally known as 
“Corner Church,” or “Eck Kirche,” was founded 
about 1750. The church building is situated in the northern 
corner of a crossroad, about a mile northward of Robesonia. 


The church received the name St. Daniel at the laying 
of the corner-stone of the second building in 1814. The 
designation “Corner” or “Eck” is said to have originated 



333 













LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


not so much from the location of the building as from the 
fact that the corners of a number of farms center about the 
place. On May 30, 1751 the congregation came into posses¬ 
sion of three adjoining tracts of land: One-half acre from 
John Artz, one-half acre from Michael Shower, and three- 
fourths acre from Abraham Lauck. 

The land was received in trust for the congregation 
by John Beyer and Frederick Weiser, five shillings (about 
seventy-five cents) being paid for each tract. The deeds 
were acknowledged before Justice Conrad Weiser and the 
Declaration of Trust shows that the land was “to be for 
the benefit, use and behoof of the poor of the said Dutch 
Lutheran Congregation at Heidelberg aforesaid forever, 
and a place to erect a House of Religious Worship for the 
Use and Service of said Congregation and if occasion shall 
require, for a place to bury their Dead.” 

From 1773 to the present time nine additional purchases 
of land, at prices ranging from one dollar per acre to five 
hundred dollars per acre, have brought the total area of 
land to about 20 acres. 

The first church was a stone building, length 40 feet, 
width 36 feet, height 20 feet. The corner-stone was laid 
in 1751 and the building was probably completed in 1754. 
The mason work was done by Andrew and John Dietz 
at about twenty cents a perch and the carpenter work in¬ 
cluding doors, pews, etc., was done by Frederick Kobel 
and Christian Betz for about $105.00, nails and glue fur¬ 
nished by the carpenters. 

The second building—walls a part of the present edi¬ 
fice, was built during 1814 to 1817. The corner-stone was 
laid May 1st 1814. In 1849 this building was remodeled at 
an expense of $1342.59. Extensive repairs were also made 
in 1883 and the dedicatory services were held on November 
25, 1883. On January 21, 1911, the congregation voted to 
renovate the building and build an addition of 14 feet to the 
east with a tower and bell, also a pulpit recess of 8 feet to 
the West, raising and inclining the floor, inserting a new 
ceiling, refurnishing and the installation of steam heat. 
This work was done at a cost of $13,403.26 and the building 
was reconsecrated on May 26, 1912. In 1922 electric lights 


334 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


were installed at an expense of $700.00 which was paid by 
the Sunday School. 

The Lutherans had entire control and use of the church 
until August 5, 1876, when “permission was given to a Re- 



OLD ST, DANIEL’S 


formed Congregation, by the St. Daniel’s Lutheran Con¬ 
gregation of Heidelberg Township, in consideration of the 
sum of one dollar per annum to have a right to hold re¬ 
ligious services in the building.” The Reformed held the 



CHURCH VIEW WITH THREE CEMETERIES 

first service on December 25, 1876 and continued to worship 
there until February 19, 1905 when, not because of any 
rupture of friendly relations, but owing to a desire to have 


335 

















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


a church building of their own, more modern in construc¬ 
tion and located in a town, they moved to their newly com¬ 
pleted building in Robesonia. 

From 1750 to 1851 St. Daniel’s was connected with 
the Tulpehocken Charge of which Christ Church, Stouchs- 
burg, was the mother. For a few years St. Daniel’s seems 
to have been an independent congregation and then, with 
the congregations served by her pastors constantly shift- 




OLDEST TOMBSTONE REVERSE SIDE 

ing, there were no definite parish lines until 1887, since 
which time, St. Daniel’s has belonged to what is known as 
the Womelsdorf Lutheran Parish, composed originally of 
Womelsdorf, St. Daniel’s Host and Strausstown, the latter 
being dropped in 1913 and Trinity, Robesonia, added in 1917. 

From a beginning of a few members, shown as sixteen 
male members in 1753 the congregation has increased to 
more than 800 of both sexes; and the dozen surnames of 
the earliest families have multiplied to about 15 dozen. 


oo<* 

ooo 









LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Some of the names appearing on the church roll since 
before the Revolutionary war are the following: Bechtel, 
Bender, Bricker, Brossman, Brown, Engel, Ernst, Fidler, 
Filbert, F ishe r, Gerhart, Grater, Gruber, Hassler, Himmel- 
berger, Huber, Hoover, Koch, Leininger, Lengel, Long, 
Machamer, Maderness, Miller, Mountz, Moyer, Palm, Pott 
or Putt, Schae ffer , Smith, Snyder, Strauss, Stump, Wagner, 
Wolf and Wenrich. 

The pastors who served St. Daniel’s Church are as fol¬ 
lows: Rev. John Nicholas Kurtz, from 1750 to 1770, a period 
of about 20 years;* Rev. Christopher Emanuel Schulze from 
1771 to 1809, about 38 years; Rev. William Beates is sup¬ 
posed to have been the pastor from 1809 to 1811; Rev. 
Daniel Ulrich, from 1811 to 1853, fully 42 years; Rev. 
Thom^fe Theophilus Iaeger, from 1853 to 1864, about 10 
years; Rev. Henry Seipel Miller, from July 1864 to 1865, 
about one-half year; Rev. Aaron Finfrock, from 1864 to 
1891, about 27 years; Rev. William Wilberforce Kramlich, 
from 1892 to 1901, about 10 years; Rev. Oscar Erwin Pflue- 
ger, from 1902 to 1913, about 10 years; Rev. Harvey Samuel 
Kidd, from 1914 to the present time. 

Note. A complete history of the congregation, includ¬ 
ing a transcript of all records available making a volume of 
562 pages of typewritten material was produced by Mr. 
M. A. Gruber, of Washington, D. C., and presented to the 
congregation in 1908. The above facts and statements are 
largely culled from this volume. 

ST. JOHN’S, HOST 

St. John’s Lutheran Church of Host, Pa., dates its 
YT history from June 12, 1858 on which date the mem- 
bers of the Reformed Church, which was established 
at this place at least 120 years earlier, adopted the follow¬ 
ing preamble to a set of resolutions also adopted, giving 
the Lutheran congregation to be organized the right of wor¬ 
ship and use of the building for the customary consideration 
of one dollar per annum: “Whereas the Lutherans of this 
community have already for some time applied for the 
privilege of organizing a Lutheran congregation.” The 
reason for this application was the distance to the existing 


337 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Lutheran congregations, the nearest of which were those at 
Womelsdorf, Reeds, Rehrersburg and Little Tulpehocken. 

So far as known the early preaching to the Lutheran 
congregation was by one Joel Grim, who was an aspirant to 
the ministry in the Lutheran Church, and of whose actual 
ordination to the ministry there seems to be no record. It 
is known, however, that he also filled pulpits in other 
localities. 

In the fall of 1865 the Rev. Aaron Finfrock assumed 



ST. JOHN’ SCHURCH, HOST 

charge of the congregation and it became a part of the 
Womelsdorf Parish. The first recorded communion was 
administered by this pastor on November 18, 1865, to fifty 
guests. The largest number of communicants at any one 
time occurred in 1882 when there were 194. 

The congregation lost some members to St. Paul’s con¬ 
gregation, New Schaefferstown, which was organized in 
1885, but its experience has been that of most rural churches 
with very little increase or decrease in membership. The 
confirmed membership now is 250. 

The following pastors served for the time designated: 
Joel Grim, and others unknown, between 1858-1865; Rev. 
Aaron Finfrock from 1865 to 1891, about 26 years; Rev. 


338 







LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


William Wilberforce Kramlich from 1892 to 1901, about 10 
years; Rev. Oscar Erwin Pflueger from 1902 to 1913, about 
10 years; Rev. Harvey Samuel Kidd from 1914 to the pres¬ 
ent time. 

Until 1865 this congregation was served independently 
by pastors not having a regular charge, but since that time 
it has belonged to the Womelsdorf Lutheran Parish. Rev. 
E. S. Leinbach is pastor of the Reformed congregation. 


TRINITY, ROBESONIA 

UTHERANS residing in Robesonia, members of St. 
DaniePs and others, met on July 24, 1904 and adopted 
a set of resolutions organizing themselves into a body 
under the control and supervision of St. DaniePs Church, 
the object being to nurture and develop interests of the 
Lutheran Church in this growing town. The pastor of St. 
DaniePs was to preach in Robesonia Union Chapel every al¬ 
ternate Sunday evening and the affairs of the organization 
were to be managed by an executive board under the Church 
Council of the mother-church. 

The Reading Conference of the Lutheran Church met 
in the Robesonia Union Chapel on October 2-3, 1905 and on 
October 31, 1905, the Willing Workers, an association of 
women, was organized and afterwards chartered for the 
purpose of fostering “the interests of Lutheranism in Rob¬ 
esonia.” 

On July 13, 1907, St. DaniePs Church, by resolution, 
assumed control and responsibility over these interests. On 
October 31, 1905, the Willing Workers purchased a lot of 
ground at the corner of Centre and Church streets for the 
purpose of, at some future time, erecting thereon a Luth¬ 
eran Church. Lutheran Hall, a frame building about 30 
feet by 50 feet in size, was built on this lot in the rear and 
was first opened and used on January 27, 1909. This hall 
has served as a meeting place and building for general use 
of the Willing Workers, who have been successful in raising 
sufficient money to pay for the lot and purchase additional 
ground adjoining, besides doing charitable work of a gen¬ 


eral nature. 

When St. DaniePs Congregation on January 21, 1911 


339 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


voted on the question of making extensive alterations, addi¬ 
tions and improvements, the principal factor in dividing 
the vote was the question as to whether this should be done, 
or whether a new church should be built on the lot owned 
by the Willing Workers in Robesonia. A majority voted 
for rebuilding while most of those residing in Robesonia 



TRINITY CHURCH. ROBESONIA 

favored the other plan. This did not unite but rather divide 
the membership in Robesonia. 

On June 17, 1917, by action of St. Daniel’s, the pastor 
was instructed to discontinue services in Robesonia after 
July 13, 1917. The action was taken not in a spirit of hos¬ 
tility, but because the Church Council felt that the experi- 


340 























LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

ment of having the chapel services was a failure and that 
the members interested would best be served if they had an 
organization of their own. Therefore at the close of the 
services on the above date those interested were invited to 
remain. After making preliminary arrangements for the 
continuance of services, Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Reiser, members 
of Christ Church, Stouchsburg, expressed the sentiment of 
those present by making a motion that a new congregation 
be organized. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Frank 
Bair of Palm Church, Palmyra and by Prof. E. Willis Min- 
nich of the North Heidelberg Church. Mrs. Bair had been 
a moving Spirit in the Willing Workers and Prof. Minnich 
had been the superintendent of a flourishing Sunday School, 
conducted in the chapel. There were some fifty charter 
members and the name Trinity was chosen. 

The congregation asked for the continued use of the 
chapel, owned by the Robesonia Iron Company, and after 
some preliminaries purchased the entire property for the 
sum of $2500.00. 

On December 9, 1917 a new corner-stone was laid and 
after extensive renovation the building was re-dedicated on 
July 21, 1918. 

This building was erected in 1869 by Ferguson, White & 
Co., owners of the Robesonia furnace, for the free use of 
religious bodies. Presbyterians and German Baptists most 
frequently worshiped in it after its dedication on May 1, 
1870. 

On account of the few adherents of either of these 
denominations, residing in Robesonia, services were soon 
abandoned. The Reformed and Lutheran denominations 
used the building for services for some years, prior to the 
erection of the Reformed Church in 1904. Trinity congre¬ 
gation upon application was received into the Evangelical 
Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania and united with the 
Womelsdorf Parish of the Reading Conference. 

The present membership of the congregation is 105. 
Rev. H. S. Kidd who organized the congregation, has been 
the only pastor. 


341 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



ZION CHURCH. WOMELSDORF 

ZION, WOMELSDORF 


% 


HIS church was founded in 1792. The Lutheran and' 
Reformed of this community united in building a 
stone church with a brick floor the corner-stone of 
which was laid on June 30, 1792. The Building Committee 
consisted of Heinrich Hirsch, Jacob Seltzer and John Benne- 
thum. The time of dedication may have been the following 
year, or “several years elapsed before the building was com¬ 
pleted” may be correct as claimed by Montgomery. On 
February 1, 1805 an act was passed appointing Nicholas 
Eckard, Heinrich Hirsch, George Ege, Jr., Conrad Stouch, 
John KeL,er, John Weiser and David Graeff commissioners 
to raise S1500.00 by means of a lottery to defray the-ex¬ 
pense of erecting Zion’s Church and two school houses at 
Womelsdorf. 


342 











LTJ THERA NS IN BERKS COUNTY 

On May 26, 1867, at a special meeting to consider the 
remodeling of the old church, Mr. Peter Althouse, Mr. Wil¬ 
liam S. Filbert, Mr. David Laucks and Mr. Samuel Filbert 
were appointed to solicit subscriptions and to report in two 
weeks. On June 9 this committee reported favorable prog- 
gress and the congregations voted unanimously to rebuild. 
An addition providing ample room for a hallway and stair 



OLD UNION CHURCH 

way was added to the end of the building facing the east. 
On this addition a tall spire was erected and in it a bell 
placed probably taken from the belfry which was removed. 
The corner-stone was laid on July 7, 1867. The basement 
was dedicated on October 6, 1837 and the church proper on 


343 













LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


June 15, 1868. The building committee consisted of Peter 
Althouse, Samuel Filbert and John Moyer. It is not known 
how much was spent, but 20 years later the debt still 
amounted to $1025.00. 

On February 3, 1858 the congregations were incor¬ 
porated under the name “The Lutheran and German Re¬ 
formed Congregation of Zion Church of Womelsdorf in the 
County of Berks.’’ On April 5, 1887 By-laws were adopted 
changing the name to “Zion’s Lutheran and Reformed 
Church.” 

In 1874 the custom of ringing the bell every day at 11.00 
o’clock, to notify all within hearing of the time of day, was 
abandoned. In 1884 the custom of submitting each pastor 
to an annual election was abandoned. 

On February 20, 1893, looking toward the celebration 
of the 100th aniversary of the dedication of the church in 
fall, a special meeting was held. The purchase of a new 
organ was authorized and interior alterations were planned. 
The trustees, C. P. Kreitzer, Jno. E. Dundore and William 
A. Hoffa, were appointed a building and organ committee, 
while Isaac Bechtel, William S. Filbert, Adam M. Lengel 
and William Moore were appointed to solicit subscriptions. 
About $3000.00 was spent. This expense coming at a time 
when the whole country was suffering from a panic proved 
to be quite a burden. By systematic giving in earthen jugs 
placed in each family and by providing a large jug, con¬ 
spicuously placed and labeled “Open to all,” as well as by 
similar methods the debt was reduced to $1600.00 by 1896. 
In 1902 the Sunday School room was renovated at a cost 
of $700.00 and reopened on December 14 of that year. The 
use of the church building was given to each congregation 
on alternate Sundays until 1914, when an agreement was 
reached by which each congregation could hold services 
either morning or evening on each Sunday. 

The congregations had been operating under separate 
charters for some years before 1909, when the Treasury 
was divided and only common expenses and common inter¬ 
ests in the building were acted upon at the joint annual 
meetings held on January 1st of each year. 

At the annual meeting of the Lutheran Congregation 


344 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


held on April 5, 1915 the pastor was authorized to solicit 
subscriptions for the erection of a separate church building, 
and to report as soon as $5000.00 were subscribed. 

On May 20, 1915 the Congregation by vote of 65 for 
and 1 against decided to build a new church on the lot pre¬ 
viously purchased at the corner of Third and High streets. 
Similar action was taken by the Reformed on August 15, 
1915. 

On December 12, 1915 ground was broken after the 
singing of a hymn and the offering of a prayer. At 
about the place where the altar now stands a stone 
slab in the pavement was turned over and the new 
pick was driven into the frozen ground by the pastor in 



WOMELSDORF PARISH PARSONAGE 


the name of the Triune God. Excavations were begun 
immediately. The teams of the Bethany Orphans' Home 
removed nearly all of the 1600 loads of earth while 350 
pounds of dynamite were used in blasting the 1500 tons 
of rock. The extra amount of work required on account of 
the rocky formation delayed the laying of the first stone 
in the foundation until June 1st, 1916. 

The Building Committee elected by the congregation 
. on May 20, 1915, consisted of Mr. Roy Valentine, Dr. C. W. 
Brossman, Major Robert B. Filbert, Adam M. Lengel and 
the pastor, Rev. H. S. Kidd as chairman. After considering 


345 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


plans and bids the committee found that it would be too 
expensive to award a contract for the building of a church 
according to the plans desired. In view of the signs of 
approaching war Robert B. Filbert felt constrained to enter 
the service of the army, and did so on June 1, 1916. The 
committee then decided to act as builder and contractor. 
Rev. Kidd was made superintendent of construction, Dr. 
Brossman was elected treasurer and time-keeper, Mr. Val¬ 
entine served faithfully in all emergencies requiring busi¬ 
ness judgment, building experience, taste in design or exe¬ 
cution, financing, supply of help, materials, tools and 
money. Mr. E. Z. Scholl of Reading, a native of Womels- 
dorf, was chosen architect. His ability, special interest, 
patience with the committee and generosity did much to 
make a success of the project. Mr. Frank S. Haak and 
many others assisted in many ways. 

The corner-stone was laid October 8, 1916 with chief 
address by Rev. T. E. Schmauk, D. D., LL. D., of Lebanon. 
Offering $500.00. The first service was held in the Sunday 
School room on January 20, 1918. 

The church was dedicated on June 16, 1918 with serv¬ 
ices during the week following and closing on the follow¬ 
ing Sunday. Dr. Schmauk, of Lebanon, was again present 
with more than 200 of his members on Wednesday evening. 
Others of prominence present during the dedication serv¬ 
ices were Rev. H. A. Weller, D. D., President of the Minis- 
terium of Pennsylvania., Drs. C. M. Jacobs and J. C. Kuntz- 
man, of Philadelphia. 

The cost of the church complete without a pipe organ 
or bell was $35,000. The bell was immediately provided by 
Mr. Roy Valentine at a cost of $1400. 

A goal of $10,000 for dedication week was passed the 
first day when the total receipts, cash and subscriptions 
amounted to $10,178.25. 

A debt of $18,000 at the time of dedication has since 
been reduced to $11,000.00. 

On July 1, 1923, in connection with the celebration of 
the 200th Anniversary of the Tulpehocken settlement, a . 
large pipe organ was dedicated “In memory of those who 
lived, worshiped and died in this community since 1723.” 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Dr. J. A. W. Haas, President of Muhlenberg College, 
preached the sermon and represented the Lutheran denom¬ 
ination in a mass meeting at Womelsdorf on the afternoon 
of the above date. 

The founder and organizer was Rev. Christopher Eman¬ 
uel Schulze, a native of Germany, pastor of the Tulpehocken 
Parish for 38 years President of the Ministerium of Penn¬ 
sylvania, (oldest synod in Lutheran Church) for six years. 
During his pastorate at Womelsdorf he was also the Senior 
of the Ministerium, an honor held by only 7 men in a his¬ 
tory of 175 years. In 1776 he was married to Eva E., the 
daughter of Rev. Dr. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg. He was 
the father of Governor Schulze. Rev. Schulze served from 
1792 to the time of his death, March 9, 1809. 

Rev. John Andrew Melchior Schulze, afterwards Gov¬ 
ernor of Pennsylvania, resided at Womelsdorf in 1796 and 
as a licensed preacher was pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, 
under his father’s oversight until 1802. 

Rev. William Baetis, born in Philadelphia, became pas¬ 
tor in 1810 and served until 1816. He was actively identi¬ 
fied as an officer with the early development of Foreign 
Missions in the Lutheran Church. He was honored by the 
synod with the office of Senior. 

Rev. Benjamin German, a native of Lehigh County, 
became pastor in 1817 and served until 1821. 

Rev. Daniel Ulrich, a native of Lebanon County, was 
elected pastor of the Tulpehocken Parish after the death 
of Rev. Schulze in 1811. The Womelsdorf congregation re¬ 
fused to join in the call to Rev. Ulrich on the grounds of 
an alleged breach of promise to marry. In 1821, however, 
they elected him as pastor and he served them faithfully 
until 1851. 

Rev. Thomas T. Iaeger, a native of Berks County, was 
pastor from 1851 to 1855. 

Rev. Jefferson M. Deitzler, a native of Schuylkill 
county served the congregation rather irruglarly between 
1855 and 1858, when he organized another Lutheran Con¬ 
gregation in Womelsdorf and used the former Presbyterian 
church on Second Street as a place of worship. 


347 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Rev. Lewis G. Eggers, a native of Germany, became 
pastor in 1858 and served until 1865. 

Rev. Aaron Finfrock, a native of Maryland, 1865-1891. 

Rev. William W. Kramlich, a native of Berks County, 
1892-1901. 

Rev. Oscar E. Pflueger, a native of Northampton 
County, 1902-1913. 

Rev. Harvey S. Kidd, a native of Northampton County, 
1914—to present time. 

ATONEMENT, WYOMISSING 

T THE 29th convention of the Reading Conference 
\LS held in Elias Church, Newmanstown, Pa., on May 4 
and 5, 1908, initial steps toward organizing a Luth¬ 
eran Church in Wyomissing, Pa., were taken. On several 
previous occasions the attention of conference had been 
called to this growing suburb west of Reading, Pa., and at 
this time the Mission Committee of conference was directed 
to acquire a suitable lot in Wyomissing. 

At the next convention of conference held in St. Paul’s 
Church, Fleetwood, on October 6, 1908, the Mission Commit¬ 
tee reported that Edward S. Wertz of Wyomissing had 
offered to them a very desirable lot (80 by 150 feet) on 
Wyomissing Boulevard near the Borough Hall for the pur¬ 
chase price of $1750. A few months later Mr. Wertz being 
anxious to hasten the beginning of this work offered the lot 
to conference for the sum of $1000. This offer was ac¬ 
cepted at a special meeting of conference held in Trinity 
Lutheran Church, Reading, Pa., on December 11, 1908. In 
order to raise this sum of money all the congregations of 
conference were asked to take a special offering. As a re¬ 
sult of this the sum of S471.ll was received. This amount 
was later increased to $550. This was not sufficient to 
pay for the lots and consequently the formal transfer was 
never made to conference. However, after an organization 
had been effected, the congregation was permitted to re¬ 
ceive possession by paying the balance still due the owner. 

In July and August of 1909 A. P. Body made a canvass 
of Wyomissing to secure the names of Lutheran residents 


348 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


and especially of those who would be interested in organ¬ 
izing a congregation. This was very thoroughly done and 
resulted in arrangements being made to begin services. 
The first service was conducted on September 12, 1909 at 
the home of Henry M. Stetler by the Rev. F. K. Bernd, 
president of conference. Thirty-one persons were present. 
The following Sunday, September 19, a Sunday School was 



CHl'KCn OF THE ATONEMENT, WYOMISSINO 


organized with 22 members. Within two weeks this num¬ 
ber had increased to 35. 

On January 7, 1910 an application for a charter for a 
corporation to be known as “The Evangelical Lutheran 
Church of the Atonement at Wyomissing, Pa.,’’ was signed 
and filed. The following were the signers: Henry M. Stet- 


349 












LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


ler, John F. McNabb, Amos R. Kurtz, Henry A. Stetler,. 
H. Franklin Brossman, Melchior Zwicky, Clarence H. Dit- 
tes, H. S. Miller, Jesse L. Stetler, Marx Reimer, E. Y. John¬ 
son, John A. Watson, Harvey P.. Kline, August W. Rodruan, 
Jacob Rodruan, Martin Luther, Max Rosacker. The foL 



THE TENT CHURCH 

lowing signed a supplemental list and also became charter 
members of the congregation: Lydia Rodruan, Ella R. 
Henry, Mary E. Stetler, Anna E. Kurtz, L. R. Henry, Al¬ 
berta L. Henry, Mrs. Joseph Ohlinger, Mrs. Herbert Christ¬ 
man, Mrs. John Reigner, Mrs. Charles Dittes, and Mrs. H. 



ANOTHER VIEW OF TENT 


F. Brossman. This charter was granted on February 7, 
1910. 

A meeting was held for the purpose of duly organizing 
the congregation at the office of Stetler and Mengel on 
March 17, 1910. A Constitution and By-Laws in harmony 


350 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


with those recommended by the General Council were 
adopted. This meeting was presided over by the Rev. W. 
0. Laub. Officers were elected at this time as follows: 
Trustees, Marx Reimer, H. M. Stetler, H. F. Brossman; 
Deacons, Clarence Dittes, John McNabb, Amos Kurtz, Her¬ 
bert Roeder, Henry A. Stetler, Max Rosacker. The con¬ 
gregation was received into the Ministerium of Pennsyl¬ 
vania at the annual meeting in 1910. 

Conference placed this congregation in a parish with 
Blandon and on September 13, 1910 a joint call was extended 
to the Rev. William K. Fisher to become the first pastor. 
The call was accepted and on September 26, 1910, Pastor 
Fisher assumed charge of the work. Under his leadership 
the congregation made commendable progress notwith¬ 
standing many unfavorable conditions. Services were held 
during this period in the Borough Hall. Rev. Fisher con¬ 
tinued as pastor until September 1, 1913. At this time the 
congregation had a membership of 85 and the Sunday School 
an enrollment of more than 100. 

The leaving of Pastor Fisher was followed by a two 
year vacancy which proved most detrimental to the young 
congregation. Being without a regular pastor so long, the 
members lost interest in the work and the organization 
almost disbanded. The congregation maintained a nom¬ 
inal existence only; the Sunday School was alive but very 
weak. 

After repeated efforts the Reading Conference finally 
induced the Mission Board to send Field Missionary Chas. 
K. Fegley, to the rescue of this work. He arrived in Wyo- 
missing on November 22, 1915 and began the work of re¬ 
organization. He found a most difficult task. Many of 
the former members had gone back to their old Churches, 
while many others could no longer be interested in any 
Church. However after considerable preliminary work the 
Sunday School was reorganized on May 7, 1916, and on 
August 6, 1916 the congregation was reorganized with 19 
members. These were Mr. and Mrs. H. Franklin Brossman, 
Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Busch, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence H. 
Dittes, Mrs. Jacob Rodruan, Mrs. Cleaven Steffy, Mr. and 
Mrs. Herbert H. Fleck, Lydia Rodruan, Mrs. Emma Fess- 


351 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


ler, Anna Rodruan, Minnie Fessler, Dorothy Rodruan, Mrs. 
Henry M. Stetler, Mrs. Ellen C. Fegley. By the spring of 
1918 the development of the congregation had been such 
that it was felt that the time had come when a permanent 
pastor should be secured. Accordingly, at a congregational 
meeting held on April 14, 1918, a call was extended to John 
L. Deaton, a student in the Senior class of the Mt. Airy 
Seminary. This call was accepted and Pastor Deaton 
assumed charge of the work on June 1, 1918. 

With the coming of a permanent pastor new interest 
and zeal were manifested by the congregation and a new 
era of growth began. In the early part of 1920 the de¬ 
velopment had been such that more ample facilities in the 
nature of a church home became imperatively necessary. 
To fill this need eight lots adjoining the original lot were 
purchased* thus giving a church site with 240 feet front on 
Wyomissing Boulevard. Preliminary plans were also made 
for a church building. 

It was decided to proceed with building operations and 
on July 24, 1920 ground was broken for a new church. On 
June 12, 1921, the corner-stone was laid with impressive 
services. 

While the church was in process of construction it 
became necessary for the congregation to make its church 
home in a tent for four months. It was the desire of the 
Council to continue holding alternate morning and evening 
services and a joint Sunday School in Bausman Memorial 
Reformed Chuch, but having been notified that beginning 
with July 1, 1921 the Reformed Church would conduct both 
morning and evening services this became impossible. The 
Council therefore erected a tent on a vacant lot on Bel¬ 
mont avenue and called it “The Tabernacle of the Wilder¬ 
ness/' Here all services were held until it was possible 
to move in the basement of the new church. 

In the spring of 1922 the church was completed and 
on May 7 was dedicated. This building is of Gothic archi¬ 
tecture, built of foxcroft stone and trimmed with special 
cast stone. The auditorium has a normal seating capacity 
of 300 and the Sunday School rooms in the basement a 


352 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


seating capacity of 450. It was built and furnished at a 
cost of $75,000, which sum was raised by special contri¬ 
butions from members and friends and also by a loan. 



CALVARY, LAURELDALE (ROSEDALE) 

CALVARY, LAURELDALE (ROSEDALE) 

C ALVARY Lutheran Church was organized for the pur¬ 
pose of providing a Lutheran Church for that section 
of Muhlenberg township, generally known as Rose- 
dale and Belmont. This community lies along the state high¬ 
way leading from Reading to Kutztown. It extends north 
and south from South Temple to Hyde Park, and east of the 
Kutztown pike to Laurel Hill and west toward the Potts- 
ville pike. This territory has an approximate population 
of two thousand people and up until the time of the organ¬ 
ization of Calvary Lutheran Church had no organized 
Church upon its territory. There was a Union Sunday 
School Chapel on Elizabeth avenue, Rosedale, in which 
community Sunday School services were held and also oc¬ 
casional preaching services by various denominations. 

The need of this large community for regular church 
services had impressed itself upon the Reading Conference 
at various periods and in the latter part of 1915 steps were 
taken to supply this need. At the suggestion and by the 


353 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


assistance of Rev. Chas. E. Kistler, president of the Read¬ 
ing Conference and pastor of Alsace Lutheran Church, the 
nearest Lutheran congregation, the Rev. Chas. K. Fegley, 
the Field Missionary who was working in Wyomissing, 
held the first Lutheran service in the Union Sunday School 
Chapel on December 19, 1915. On March 5, 1916, Rev. 
Fegley began the first of a series of monthly services. He 
also began a canvass of the community in September 1916 
but no organization was effected. However he continued 
to hold services intermittently until his removal in June, 
1918. His successor in Wyomissing, the Rev. John L. 
Deaton, continued these services. 

In the fall of 1920 the development had been such that 
the Mission Committee of Conference decided to secure 
Field Missionary U. S. G.Bertolet to cooperate with Rev. J. 
L. Deaton in making a canvass of the field with the pur¬ 
pose of effecting an organization. This canvass was com¬ 
pleted in January 1921 and the results seemed to warrant 
the attempt to organize a congregation. After several 
preliminary meetings a congregation was organized on 
February 18, 1921 with an initial membership of 100 mem¬ 
bers. The constitution recommended by the United Luther¬ 
an Church for congregations was adopted. The name of 
“Calvary Lutheran Church of Muhlenberg Township, 
Berks Co., Pa.” was chosen. The following officers were 
elected: Deacons, Frank R. Manderbach, Morris Walborn, 
Solomon I. Schwoyer, W. H. Lutz, H. E. Katzenmoyer, Eras¬ 
mus Ernst, A. C. Goheen, A. Ernst, J. K. Schlaybach. Three 
of these were chosen as trustees as follows: Frank R. 
Manderbach, Solomon I. Schwoyer and Morris Walborn. 

On August 10, 1921, an application for a charter was 
filed, and on September 6, 1921 this was granted. This 
application was signed by John L. Deaton, W. H. Lutz, Harry 
E. Katzenmoyer, Solomon I. Schwoyer, Frank R. Mander¬ 
bach, Morris Walborn, Erasmus Ernst, Edwin Althouse, 
Henry Schabener, S. K. Schlegel, J. K. Schlaybach, Thomas 
H. Jones, A. Charles Goheen, Robert F. Beck, J. L. Shalters, 
and W. W. Williams. 

Rev. John L. Deaton pastor of the Lutheran Church of 
the Atonement, Wyomissing, Pa., was asked to continue as 


354 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


a supply pastor until a permanent arrangement might be 
made by the Reading Conference. This temporary ar¬ 
rangement continued until the convention of conference 
held in Trinity Church, Wernersville, Pa., on September 26 
and 27, 1921. At this time Calvary was placed in a parish 
with Atonement of Wyomissing. This parish extended a 
joint call to Pastor J. L. Deaton on November 16, 1921. 
This call was accepted and Rev. J. L. Deaton thus became 
the first regular pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church. 

During this period all services were held in the Union 
Sunday School Chapel but the progress of the congrega¬ 
tion was such that it was deemed wise to take steps to¬ 
ward securing a permanent church home. Accordingly at 
the annual congregational meeting held January 3, 1922 the 
trustees were instructed to purchase lots at the corner of 
Elizabeth avenue and Freemont street, with a frontage of 
135 feet and depth of 125 feet, for the sum of $1850. The 
formal transfer of these lots was made on April 1, 1922. 
The sum of $1150, which had been raised by special con¬ 
tributions, was paid at this time, and a mortgage on the lots 
was given to cover the balance. This mortgage was can¬ 
celled on April 1, 1923. 


JERUSALEM, ALBANY TOWNSHIP 

^f^WING to the privations endured by the early settlers 
ilp^ in this vicinity, Muhlenberg invariably called it 
“Allemaengel”, in his Halle Reports. The name 
has clung to the church ever since. Because the outside 
woodwork including the roof had been painted red over a 
hundred years ago, it was also known as the “Red Church”. 

Jerusalem Church stands quite near the boundary line 
between Albany and Lynn, both of which became townships 
in 1735. About this time a number of families from New 
Hanover settled here. Soon after Muhlenberg’s arrival in 
America, they persuaded him to visit the place. He was 
deeply moved by their desire to build a church and their 
utter inability to do so. In 1746, he induced his father-in- 
law, Conrad Weiser, to buy a 50 acre plot of ground for 
them. 


355 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


While they were erecting a log building, the Moravian 
emissaries from Bethlehem appeared on the scene and pro¬ 
claimed themselves the genuine Lutherans. This was an 
echo of the Tulpehocken Confusion, and the controversy 
that raged between the three parties that sprang up was 
quite bitter. Operations were suspended before a roof was 
placed on the structure. The Moravians thinking they had 
gained the advantage undertook to finish the edifice “with 
the understanding that it should be a brotherly church”. 



JERUSALEM CHURCH, ALLEMAENGEL 

But as Muhlenberg still held the title to the ground he pre¬ 
vented this movement. In 1770, after the confusion had 
altogether subsided he deeded the ground to Philip Stam- 
bach,, Jos. Gortner, Valentine Brobst, Matthias Brobst and 
George Kistler. This deed is recorded in the Berks county 
•ourt house. At this time the pastor, Rev. Daniel Schu¬ 
macher, and a considerable number of the members with¬ 
drew and built a church about half a mile to the south, near 
Wessnersville. It was called New Allemaengel or White 
Church. The latter name still clings to it. 


356 







LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The earliest baptismal records of the Jerusalem church 
contain names of the children of John Baily, Frank Baily, 
Casper Longenberger, Peter Driess, Michael Brobst, Fred¬ 
erick Reichelsderfer, John Wesner and George Kistler. In 
1756, the following class was confirmed: George Kistler, Jr., 
George Kunkel, Conrad Billman, Fr. Billig, Maria Fossel- 
man. 

The present stone edifice was consecrated, May 24, 
1814, during the pastorate of Rev. John Knoske. Rev. 
Henry Heine also took part in the services. Since then the 
church has been frequently renovated. In 1881 the high 
pulpit and sounding board were removed and the entire in¬ 
terior was altered. Probably the greatest event in the his¬ 
tory of the congregation was the centennial celebration of 
Muhlenberg’s donation of the church property. The Rev. 
Samuel Kistler Brobst, the most distinguished son of the 
congregation, preached the sermon. His reading of Muh¬ 
lenberg’s account of the early struggles of the congregation 
was heard with the keenest interest by the large gathering 
which included many persons who had been confirmed here, 
some of whom came from great distances. Dr. Schmauk 
declared that it was Samuel Kistler Brobst, whose ancestors 
heard Muhlenberg plead for institutions in the church to 
educate its ministry, in whom this seed bore fruitage. He 
was instrumental in establishing Muhlenberg College and 
the Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Thus Alle- 
maengel became one of the main channels through which 
Muhlenberg’s influence was brought down to the present 
and made secure for all time. 

The pastors were: H. M. Muhlenberg, J. N. Kurtz, To¬ 
bias Wagner, 1745-55; Daniel Schumacher, 1755-70; John 
A. Frederici and a number of other supplies, 1770-8; Daniel 
Lehman, 1778-1810; John Knoske, 1811-23; Revs. Doring, 
Wartman, Walz, 1828-31; Isaac Roeller, 1831-57; 0. Leo¬ 
pold, 1857-60; S. S. Kline, 1860-67; L. Zuber, D. D. Trex- 
ler, 1867-9; H. S. Fegley, 1869-1905; A. O. Ebert, 1905—.. 

This congregation, barely exceeding 100 members, has 
given 8 of its sons to the gospel ministry, viz.: Samuel Kist¬ 
ler Brobst, Reuben Brobst Kistler, Alfred W. Kistler, Wil¬ 
liam U. Kistler, Charles E. Kistler, Edwin L. Kistler, D, 


357 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

Elmer Fetherolf and Jonas 0. Henry. A large number of 
its members have entered the medical and other professions. 

The oldest tombstones on the cemetery, close to the 
church, bear the dates 1760 and 1762. The new part of the 
burial place contains an unusually large number of fine 
monuments. 

Jerusalem is one of the three Ministerium churches on 
Berks County territory not belonging to the Reading Con¬ 
ference. Since most of its members come from Lehigh 
County, it rightfully belongs to the Allentown Conference. 


m 


ST. JOHN’S, MT. AETNA 

HEN or how the movement was begun which re¬ 
sulted in the organization of St. John’s Church. 
Mt. Aetna, is not known. The first record of 
this church is dated January 17, 1846. This record is a 
list of male persons, of whom thirty-nine are designated as 
“Reformed” and seventeen as “Lutheran”. This seems to 
be the list of persons who banded themselves together for 
the purpose of organizing a congregation and building a 
church. On the first day of June, 1846 the corner-stone of 
the first church building was laid. During the summer of 
that year the church was completed and the same was dedi¬ 
cated on the twenty-fourth day of October, 1846. By action 
of those interested it was decided that a meeting should be 
held on the third Saturday in December, 1846, for the pur¬ 
pose of organizing a congregation. This meeting resulted 
in the organization of a Union Church. The charter adopted 
and granted by the court of Berks county in 1851 begins 
with this paragraph: “Hereby are founded the congrega¬ 
tions under the name, style and title of the Evangelical 
Lutheran and Evangelical Reformed Church of Woleber- 
town”. The name of the town was later changed to Mt. 
Aetna. 

The Lutheran congregation was evidently without a 
regular pastor until 1850. Rev. Jefferson Deitzler was then 
elected and began his pastorate in this congregation on 
January 5, 1851, with a membership of possibly forty per¬ 
sons. Rev. Deitzler continued as pastor until 1865. The 


358 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


reason for the ending of this pastorate at this time was 
the withdrawal of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania from 
the General Synod. The congregation was adhering to the 
Ministerium while Rev. Deitzler continued to belong to the 
General Synod. 



ST. JOHN’S CHURCH. MT. AETNA 


The second pastor was Rev. Youria Grafe. This pas¬ 
torate extended from 1865 to 1867. In 1868 Rev. J. F. J. 
Schantz, D. D., became the pastor. Under his pastorate 
the congregation became a more cohesive body and united 
w T ith the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. 

In 1883 the church was rebuilt and enlarged. Follow¬ 
ing the death of Dr. Schantz in January, 1907, Rev. A. E. 


359 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Youse, the present pastor, was elected and began his pas¬ 
torate on July 1, 1907. 

Since 1868 this congregation has been a part of the 
Myerstown parish.. It is the only congregation in Berks 
county belonging to the Lancaster Conference. 

The Sunday School, originally union, has been separ¬ 
ated into a Lutheran Sunday School and a Reformed Sunday 
School. The separation was due to the usual question of 
literature. The Lutheran Sunday School meets bi-weekly 
on the Sunday when Lutheran services are held. The 
membership of the congregation has always been small due 
to the constant removal of the young people for lack of 
employment. The membership is also widely scattered 
through Berks and Lebanon counties. 


360 


H'S 


flistnry of iLuthevan (llljurch 

tljt' (icneral §yimit 


ifuniterlu of- 

(T 



OCATED within the bounds of the Reading Confer¬ 
ence in Berks County. In the days of sharp lines of 
demarcation, if not of opposition, within the Luth¬ 
eran fold, when churches were commonly known as “Old” 
or “New” Lutheran, meaning thereby members of the Min- 
isterium of Pennsylvania or of the East Pennsylvania Synod, 
the former an integral part of the General Council and the 
latter of the General Synod, there were at least three or 
four charges or parts of them, located within the bounds 
of the Reading Conference which did not belong to it, but 
were parts of the Lebanon Conference of the East Pennsyl¬ 
vania Synod. It is desired that the present “History” shall 
give an account of all the Lutheran Churches which have 
ever existed in Berks County. Hence this sketch of congre¬ 
gations not members as yet of the Reading Conference but 
yet integral parts of the United Lutheran Church since the 
consummation of the merger in 1918. 

The oldest of these is that of St. Matthew’s, Reading. 


ST. MATTHEW’S, FIFTH AND ELM STREETS, READING 

T MATTHEW’S Lutheran Church, of Reading, is the 
first of many daughters of Trinity Lutheran Church. 
The separation was brought about in 1842 through 
the desire of a number of members for services in English 
in order to prevent their children from going to churches of 
other denominations where English services were held ex¬ 
clusively. Rev. Jacob Miller, grandfather of Judge G. A. 
Endlich, was pastor of Trinity Church and would not grant 
English services. An organization was then effected and 
services held in the Old State House, at Fifth and Penn 
streets. 

Rev. J. L. Schock was the first pastor; the first Council 
meeting was held in March, 1842, and the officers were: 
Rev. Schock, President; Dr. Diller Luther, Secretary; and 
Henry Haas, Treasurer. 


361 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The men most active in this movement, to whom St. 
Matthew’s Church is largely indebted for what she is to-day 



ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH 


were Dr. Diller Luther, John Hepler, Sr., Frederick Fox, 
Henry Haas, Peter Filbert, Henry Fry, Adam Rightmyer, 
Dr. S. S. Birch, Jacob Sallade, Peter Shanahan, Joseph 


362 







> 



R vs Uames B ro* n DD 


■LENT 


R£v.SAMi,‘£i.5.DoMER DD 


Rev. James M.Anspach 


Rev. James SchockD.D, 


Rev.R ufusW Huf ford D D. 


Rev.T.C.B!U.he>mer O.D 


Rev. Luther 5 Black 


Rev.GeosseWNiceuv B.D. 


Rev Norman S.VvW 


PASTORS OF ST. MATTHEW’S, 1866-1915 



















































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Moyer, William Ziegler, Nicholas Mason, John German, Jere¬ 
miah Hagenman, Marks B. Scull, George Frees, Jesse Orner, 
Paul Ammon, John Hetrich and Samuel Focht. The first 
communion was held in September, 1842, when 17 communi¬ 
cants presented themselves; at the same time a considerable 
number were confirmed. The first infant baptism occurred 
in 1842, Susan Yeager being the subject; the first marriage 
ceremony of which there is now any record was performed 
in 1843, and Levi Moser and Catharine Myers were the con¬ 
tracting parties. 





OLD ST. MATTHEW’S' 

In spite of all difficulties and hindrances the congrega¬ 
tion grew rapidly. In 1843 an appeal was made to the other 
churches in Eastern Pennsylvania for aid in building a 
church. Rev. Schock was sent out as a collector and during 
his absence Rev. John Kohler acted as his substitute. The 
church was begun in May, 1844, erected at Franklin and 
Pearl streets under the direction of the following building 
committee: Dr. Diller Luther, John Hepler, Joseph Mayers 
and Peter Filbert, and was dedicated in December of the 
same year. 


364 














LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


No incident worthy of mention occurred until 1849, 
when Rev. Schock resigned and was succeeded by Rev. J. A. 
Brown, D. D., LL. D. During Rev. Brown’s pastorate the 
membership was considerably increased. Among those 
prominent in this second period of the Church’s history 
were Major S. E. Ancona, Dr. Ulrich, Jacob S. Livingood, 
Esq., Messrs. Weida, Lindemuth, Craig, Lehman, Edward 
Scull and John C. Hepler, and Mrs. Esther G. Otto, famil¬ 
iarly known as Mother Otto; Mrs. Anna E. Craig, Mrs. Mary 
Saylor and Mrs. Lucy J. Livingood. 

Rev. Brown resigned in 1859 and was succeeded by Rev. 
M. Valentine, D. D., LL. D., during whose term the church 
was repaired and who served until 1866; Rev. M. W. Ham- 
ma, D. D., 1866-1869; Rev. Samuel Domer, D. D., 1869-1872; 
Rev. J. M. Anspach, D. D., 1872-1877; Rev. T. C. Billheimer, 
D. D., 1877-1893; Rev. R. W. Hufford, D. D., 1893-1901; Rev. 
Luther S. Black, 1902-1908; Rev. George W. Nicely, 1909- 
1913; Rev. Norman S. Wolf, 1913-1915; Rev. Charles R. 
Myers, 1915-1919; Rev. W. C. Dunlap, D. D., 1921—. 

Like many active and flourishing city churches, St. 
Matthew’s also has her mission children. At least twice in 
its life have segments of its membership combined to found 
mission congregations in other parts of the city, or its 
suburbs. The first of these is that of St. Peter’s. 

ST. PETER’S, TWELFTH AND WINDSOR STREETS, 

READING 

/Mm? HE organization was fromed May 5, 1907 with 22 mem- 
il bers in the second story of a bakery then located at 
923 Douglass street. In the fall of 1908 the congrega¬ 
tion was admitted into the East Pennsylvania Synod. In the 
spring of the year 1909 the congregation was incorporated 
and received its charter. Some time after this the southeast 
corner, lot 40 x 105 feet and 21/2 story brick building on 
Twelfth and Windsor streets was purchased for $2500.00. 
Specifications having been presented, it was decided at once 
to erect a Chapel on the rear end of the lot fronting Twelfth 
street. On June 19, 1910, interesting ceremonies marked 
the breaking of ground for the new edifice in the presence 


365 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


of a large concourse of people. Rev. Henry C. Shingle, the 
first pastor, had charge of the service. On August 14, 1910, 
the corner-stone was laid with impressive ceremonies by 
the pastor and a large congregation assembled. A handsome 
edifice being completed was dedicated to the Service of Al¬ 
mighty God in the presence of a large audience Sunday, 
April 23, 1911. According to a report made at the Dedica¬ 
tion by the Treasurer, the expenditures for lot, building, and 
furniture were $10,524.85. Paid on same $3042.85. 



ST. PETER'S CHURCH 

Rev. Henry C. Shingle resigned and relinquished his 
duties as pastor of St. Peter’s on August 13, 1911. 

The congregation having been supplied for nearly a 
year by professors and students from Schuylkill Seminary 
and other ministers from our own denomination, Rev. John 


366 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


A. Richter was called unanimously December 3, 1911, as 
the pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. The call was 
accepted by him and he began his work February 4, 1912. 
A growing increase was manifested both in the church serv¬ 
ices and in the Sabbath School, a primary room was fur¬ 
nished and a large balcony constructed and other improve¬ 
ments made in the interior of the Church, Daniel F. Hiester, 
foreman and Adam E. Hafer, assistant foreman of the work. 
Rev. John A. Richter resigned and relinquished his duties 
as pastor of St. Peter’s Church in May, 1916. The congre¬ 
gation gave Rev. William B. Smith, Ph. D. a unanimous call 
on May 14, 1916, which he at once accepted serving as pas¬ 
tor since June 4, 1916. The church debt has been consider¬ 
ably reduced during his pastorate. 

The next congregations organized from constituents 
which came from St. Matthews are those of the Glenside 
and Stony Creek Charge. 


CHRIST, GLENSIDE, READING 

LUTHERAN Mission Sunday School was organized 
in the Northwest Glenside district of Reading on 
Sunday afternoon, November 22, 1914, under the fos¬ 
tering care of Rev. N. S. Wolf, pastor, and some of the 
workers of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. The services 
were held in the district schoolhouse. The idea of organiz¬ 
ing a congregation developed during the summer of 1915. 
The community was thoroughly canvassed during August 
and on the fifth of September, 1915, at the call of Rev. 
Wolf, a public service was held. Dr. S. D. Daugherty, Mis¬ 
sion Superintendent, preached a sermon on John 15:16. 
Rev. J. A. Richter of St. Peter’s read the scripture lesson 
and Rev. Charles R. Myers of St. Matthew’s offered the 
prayer. 

Immediately after the service a congregation was or¬ 
ganized with thirty-seven members. The constitution for 
congregations, as recommended by the General Synod was 
adopted. The name “Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church" 
was adopted and a Church Council was elected by the votes 
of the members. The Rev. N. S. Wolf was elected the pas- 


367 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


tor. It was also decided that a lot should be purchased and 
that a suitable church building should be immediately 
erected. The pastor, Walter Loose, John Ernst and Aaron 
Dundore were elected to serve as a building committee. 



CHRIST CHURCH, GLENSIDE 

The erection of the church was begun in September and 
the building was ready for worship by Christmas, 1915. The 
church was dedicated on Sunday, January 2, 1916. Rev. 
C. P. Wiles, D. D., preached the sermon. Because of a sav¬ 
ing due to volunteer labor and other valuable donations the 
total cost of building was less than four thousand dollars. 
A mortgaged debt of twelve hundred dollars has since been 
reduced to four hundred dollars. 

Rev. N. S. Wolf served until 1917 when he was suc¬ 
ceeded by Rev. G. W. Schwartz who served until 1919. The 
present pastor, Rev. 0. 0. Leidich, has served since 1920. 


268 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


BETHANY, STONY CREEK MILLS 

3 N THE spring of 1895, R. J. Calm, a member of St. 
Matthew’s Lutheran Church of Reading organized a 
small Sunday School in Seiz’s school house near Stony 
Creek Mills. Within five years the Sunday School outgrew 
the schoolhouse quarters and built a beautiful substantial 
stone chapel in which the school has grown and flourished. 

In 1914 a general desire for regular church services ex¬ 
pressed itself in an appeal to Rev. N. S. Wolf of St. Mat- 



BETHANY CHURCH, STONY CREEK MILLS 

thew’s who canvassed the community, spending several 
weeks in a house to house visitation for the purpose of 
securing members of the congregation to be organized. 

On November 29, 1914, the congregation was organized 
with 107 members. The first Church Council consisted of 
R. J. Calm, president; Irvin C. Ibach, secretary; Charles D. 
Erb, treasurer; Allen M. Snyder, Frank B. Hill, Benjamin 
F. Lorah, Charles W. Fisher and William L. Murray. Rev. 


369 















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


J. A. Richter of St. Peter’s conducted services for some 
months. 

In January of 1915, failing health caused Rev. Wolf to 
resign as pastor of St. Matthew’s and a call was extended 
to him from Bethany asking that he should move to Stony 
Creek Mills for a much needed rest and serve the congre¬ 
gation with but one service a Sunday. Under his pastorate 
the membership increased to 150. In 1917 having regained 
his health he accepted a call to Bloomsburg, Pa. 

Rev. George Swartz then became the pastor and served 
until 1919. The present pastor, Rev. 0. 0. Leidich began his 
pastorate in 1920. 

THE CHURCHES AT WOMELSDORF AND 

STRAUSSTOWN 

Both of these churches were founded by Rev. J. M. 
Dietzler in 1861 while he was pastor of the Zion’s Luth¬ 
eran Church at Womelsdorf, the Blue Mountain Church at 
Strausstown and other churches of the Ministerium. 

It was during the period of Revivalism within the Luth¬ 
eran Church when not a few of the old churches were 
aroused and separated into two factions which clashed. 
Usually the pastor advocating these so-called “new meas¬ 
ures” and his adherents left amid considerable agitation, 
either voluntarily or peremptorily and organized new con¬ 
gregations in the shadow of the old. This was the case in 
Womelsdorf and Strausstown. Rev. Dietzler took with him 
in each instance such a nucleus of substantial followers and 
adherents as justified them in a new organization. In 
Womelsdorf the Fidlers, Moores, Fishers, Sells, Valen¬ 
tines, Schoeners, Spangs, Schonours, Stouts, and others 
rallied around their old pastor and took advantage of the 
proffer of the use of the Presbyterian Church edifice, the 
congregation of which had about died out. A union Sunday 
School was maintained here. Located in the heart of the 
town this Sunday School with capable leaders flourished be¬ 
yond the strength of the communicant membership. No 
separate church was ever built. The following pastors have 
served it: Rev. J. M. Dietzler, 1861-1865; Rev. Uriel Graves, 
1865-1866; supplied by conference, 1866-1868; Rev. George 


370 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


J. Martz, 1868-1876; Rev. W. I. Cutter, supply, 1876-1878; 
Rev. E. Lenhart, ,1878-1879; Rev. P. C. Croll, 1879-1882; 
Rev. I. B. Crist, 1883-1885. Successful conferences and Sun¬ 
day School conventions were held here. From this time on 
the church was without regular pastors, gradually deter¬ 
iorated and finally entirely disbanded. The membership, 
dividing between the other congregations of town. 

ST. PAUL’S, STRAUSSTOWN 

same year (1861) that saw the organization of the 
fi new Lutheran Church at Womelsdorf and the same 
causes led also to the organization of the St. Paul’s 
Lutheran Church of Strausstown. A small following came 
out with the pastor, Rev. J. M.. Dietzler as former Luth¬ 
eran pastor of the Zion Union Lutheran and Reformed 
Church, or often known as the Blue Mountain Church and 
organized themselves into this new body of Lutherans. 

On July 15, 1861, Messrs John Strauss, Jonathan G. 
Reber, Michael Miller, John Boltz and Dr. W. J. Schoener 
were appointed as a building committee to erect a new 
church edifice. Within a week they had purchased a lot 
for the church and burial purposes and building operations 
were begun. The corner-stone of a frame church was laid 
in August. The church was finished by November and dedi¬ 
cated. Dr. A. C. Medekind, Rev. E. S. Henry and Rev. P. 
Willard assisted the pastor in these services. The following 
winter a great revival was held when the church member¬ 
ship increased to seventy. The same pastors served here 
that served at Womelsdorf, it becoming a part of the Lyons 
Charge, at least looking for supplies from thence for a de¬ 
cade of years after Womelsdorf’s flock disbanded. The old 
loyal members dying away and few new members being 
added, it died a natural death in time and the few remain¬ 
ing members returned to the old Blue Mountain Congre¬ 
gation. 


371 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


THE LYONS’ CHARGE 

/JP|b^HE third General Synod Charge within the bounds 
il of Conference in order of time is the Lyons’ Charge. 

This was founded by Rev. A. D. Croll in 1868, and 
consisted of several congregations in Lehigh and Berks 
counties. Rev. Croll having for five years previous, served 
the large Ministerium Charge in the southeastern portion 
of Berks county, consisting of six congregations, Lobachs- 
ville, Delongs’, St. Peter’s, Hereford, Longswamp and Hill 
Churches, was now conscientiously moved to change pas¬ 
toral relations from the Ministerium of Pennsylvania to the 
East Pennsylvania Synod. His biographer, Rev. Dr. J. A. 
Singmaster of Gettysburg Theological Seminary says of 
him as pastor of this charge “He exercised a wonderful spir¬ 
itual influence through his large charge in awakening, con¬ 
verting, and edifying souls. For five years he continued the 
faithful and popular pastor of this field. Calls to more in¬ 
viting and prominent churches did not induce him to leave 
his important work. He had, however, serious difficulties 
to contend with. None of the congregations held prayer 
meetings, in which he so ardently believed. His methods 
began to arouse opposition on the part of some of his people 
as well as from his clerical brethren.’’ 

Finding his synodical relations thus growing gradually 
less congenial, and to enable him to carry out unhindered 
his convictions on essence and methods of a genuine spir¬ 
itual church life, he resigned his charge, gathered about 
him his awakened and enthusiastic followers to the number 
of about two hundred members, organized them into five 
small congregations in the territory of the old parish and 
united with the East Pennsylvania Synod. By 1869 new 
churches had been erected at Lyons, Macungie, Upper Mil¬ 
ford, Lehigh county, Pleasantville and he was also elected 
as pastor of the Mohrsville Lutheran flock of the Union 
Church erected in 1865. Of these the Pleasantville congre¬ 
gation has latterly disbanded or died out, while the Lyons 
and Mohrsville churches are still active and fairly progress¬ 
ive. 


372 


LUTHERANS IN 


BERKS COUNTY 



ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, LYONS 


ST. PAUL’S, LYONS 

/Mb*' HIS congregation was organized by Rev. A. D. Croll 
il in 1868, out of adherents who followed him from the 
Delong congregation at Bowers. The corner-stone 
of the substantial two-story brick church was laid June 1, 
1868, and the dedication was held that same fall. From this 
time on Rev. Croll’s earnest and faithful ministry continued 
until the spring of 1876, during which years “a period of 


373 









LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


great religious activity” characterized the work. During 
these years hundreds were converted and spiritually pro¬ 
moted in wide circles. Contributions grew phenomenally 
for that region. Besides supporting their pastor from the 
start, without missionary aid, and building new churches, 
the offerings for the benevolent objects for the Synod, 
from this charge amounted to hundreds of dollars per 
annum. “Every family had an altar for prayer and daily 
praise and a contribution box, called the Lord’s Treasury 
Box where weekly offerings were made to the Lord as He 
had prospered them the preceding week.” Is it any won¬ 
der that with such a standard of church life established, 
with the faithful presentation of the spiritual use of the 
Holy Sacraments maintained that the congregation grew in 
numbers and the knowledge and activities of the flock in 
the grace and labors of the Divine Vineyard increased, that 
conversion of sinners followed and the dedication of many 
young men for the Holy Ministry came about so that in the 
entire history of the charge almost to the present time, 
there has rarely been a time when it had not at least one 
son preparing for the ministry? During the eight years of 
Rev. Croll’s ministry more than a dozen young men were 
in their training for the holy office, or else had already en¬ 
tered upon its blessed labors. St. Paul’s Church alone has 
furnished the following sons to the ministry: W. R. Wieand, 
G. H. Leeser, Elias Hamsher, Elias A. Best, P. C. Croll, 
Morris F. Good, William J. Good, W. G. Gaby, N. J. Stire- 
walt, and possibly others not known or recalled to the 
writer. We know the pastor influenced largely, the Rev. I. 
W. Bobst, now of Philadelphia, and Rev. G. W. Fritch of 
blessed memory and late of Amsterdam, N. Y., both of 
whom often attended Rev. Croll's preaching services, while 
students at the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, 
the latter of whom was confirmed by Rev. Croll, while still 
pastor at the Longswamp Church of the Ministerium. 

Rev. Croll’s death in 1876 was a severe blow to his con¬ 
gregations, which had everywhere increased and were 
everywhere active instead of merely adherent or indifferent 

and idle. The protracted illness of the first pastor, long va- 

« 

cancies, wide separation of the churches, usually short pas- 


374 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


torates following and thus frequent and radical changes re¬ 
sultant, have all worked together, with the general decline 
in the last few decades of rural Church life to reduce also 
this once energetic church. 

Rev. Croll was succeeded by Rev. W. I. Cutter as supply 
until July, 1877, when he was elected as pastor but only 
served until 1878, when Rev. E. Daron succeeded him, who 
served until 1880, who was succeeded by Rev. D. E. Reed 
for less than a year. Rev. W. H. Lewars succeeded him in 
1881 and resigned in 1882. In November, 1882, Rev. J. A. 
Singmaster became pastor and served for three years, when 
Rev. G. W. Fritsch succeeded him. He served the charge 
six years after which it was temporarily supplied by Rev. 
G. J. Martz of Lebanon, and then served for another term 
of five or six years by Rev. Morris F. Good. He was suc¬ 
ceeded by a succession of elderly pastors namely: Rev. G. 
C. H. Hasskarl, Rev. J. M. Dietzler, Rev. A. B. Miller, Rev. 
B. S. Dise, who did good work in their day in holding the 
church together and keeping them alive, yet though they 
labored hard not much progress at upbuilding could be 
made. The material for upbuilding could not be gathered, 
the spirit of the earlier enthusiasm and devotion seems to 
be hard to kindle in our day. With numbers lacking, bur¬ 
dens of upkeep heavy, a spirit of discouragement is slowly 
creeping over this once, flourishing field. Yet for several 
years Rev. M. S. Miller, a young man, served them and he 
seems to have succeeded in fanning the embers into a flame 
again, especially among the young people. He resigned in 
1922 and was succeeded by Rev. J. I. Hummer who took 
charge in the early summer of 1923. 

ST. JOHN’S, PLEASANTVILLE 

HE history of this congregation is much like that of 
the one at Lyons. It was organized by the same 
founder and brought into life by the same methods 
as the one at Lyons. It has had the same series of pastors 
and supplies, the only difference is that it was always 
weaker, and due to many causes became defunct about fif¬ 
teen years ago, since which time its building has been sold 


375 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



ST. TIMOTHY’S, MOHRSVILLE 

^■■^HIS Union Congregation was founded in 1864 by resi- 
fl dent and near-by members of the surrounding Luth- 
eran and Reformed churches at Gernants, Shoe- 
makersville and Bellemans. Messrs. John Snyder, Isaac H. 
Moore, Seth Zimmerman, and Isaac K. Becker formed the 
building committee for the new church edifice, which is 
located in the heart of the old village of Mohrsville. A two 


ST. TIMOTHY’S CHURCH, MOHRSVILLE 


and is reported to have been demolished. Yet for years it 
was a source of spiritual blessing to this village and the 
neighborhood of the Oley valley. 


376 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


story brick church 36 feet by 48 feet with galleries. The 
main audience room was ready for dedication by May 7, 
1865. The Reformed had meanwhile elected Rev. Aaron 
Leinbach as their pastor and the Lutherans Rev. B. E. 
Kramlich of Kutztown. The latter resigned June, 1867, and 
Rev. A. D. Croll was elected as his successor, being yet a 
member of the mother Synod of Pennsylvania. He announced 
his inability to accept the call in view of his intentions to 
change his synodical relations, unless the congregation 
would hold another election with this knowledge. He was 
again unanimously elected and gave the congregation most 
acceptable service until the time of his death. Seldom has 
a pastor such devoted love and cordial co-work as this flock 
gave their faithful pastor during all these years. Here as 
elsewhere his ministry was richly blessed in all the temporal 
and spiritual advancements of the flock, and in the conse¬ 
cration of several young men to the Gospel Ministry. After 
Rev. CrolFs death, Rev. J. A. Singmaster, then pastor at 
Schuylkill Haven supplied the church for about two years. 
Rev. E. Lenhart served it one year from July, 1878 to 1879, 
when he resigned and Rev. P. C. Croll became the pastor, as 
it was now a part of the Womelsdorf Parish. His pastorate 
extended to December, 1882, completing a catechetical class 
during the following winter and occasionally supplying the 
pulpit as he was at this time Rev. Singmaster’s successor at 
Schuylkill Haven. In September, 1883, Rev. I. B. Crist 
took charge and labored as pastor until June 1, 1885. Then 
by a new arrangement this congregation was again added to 
the Lyons charge and from that day to this has been served 
by the Lyons pastors. 

It has had about the same experience that the Lyons' 
church has passed through, of the frequent changes and 
occasional long vacancies. It has, however, always had 
much of the true “salt" and been very zealous in the work 
of the Lord. As a little congregation, it has no mean show¬ 
ing. Its building is remodeled and in good repair, and its 
organizations are active. The laity is sincere and devoted, 
trained and willing to work. 


377 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



ST. THOMAS’, BERNVILLE 

occasion for the formation of this congregation 
il was the question of rebuilding and separation as 
mentioned in the History of Friedens’ Church by 
Rev. Miller. In consequence of this division that portion of 
the Lutheran congregation which united with the Reformed 
in the building of the new church was obliged to look else¬ 
where than the Ministerium of Pennsylania for their pas¬ 
toral supply. Consequently in 1897 they appealed to the 
East Pennsylvania Synod for assistance, when Rev. William 
J. Gaby a recent graduate of the Gettysburg Theological 
Seminary was engaged to supply. He served them a num¬ 
ber of years when he was called to Dayton, Ohio. The pas¬ 
tor of the Schaefferstown parish (Lebanon county), Rev. 
Morris F. Good, was elected pastor in 1899 and served for a 


ST. THOMAS’ CHURCH, BERNVILLE 


378 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


number of years, until 1908. Rev. R. W. Hufford supplied 
temporarily (for about a year) when they became united 
with the Lyons charge and from that date were supplied by 
the regular pastors of the Lyons charge. 


pastors, 1701—1923 

1701. Andrew Rudman—Molatton. 

1702-19. Andrew Sandel—Molatton. 

1720-23. Samuel Hazzelius—First resident pastor at Molatton. 
1723-30. John Lindman—Molatton. 

1727. Gerhard Henkel—Reed’s, later at Hill and Manatawny. 

1729. Bernhard von Dieren—Baptized children in Tulpehocken. 

1729. John Casper Stoever, Jr.—Little Tulpehocken, later at Plow 
and Allegheny. 

1730-33. John Eneberg—Molatton. 

1733-45. Gabriel Falk—Molatton, built church in 1736-7. 

1737- 42. John Geo. Schmidt—Bernville Little Tulpehocken, Cole- 

brookdale. 

1738- 9. John Dylander—Supplied Molatton in the absence of Falk. 
1743-6. Tobias Wagner—Tulpehocken. During his pastorate Christ 

Church was built and Muhlenberg married to Anna Maria 
Weiser. Rev. Wagner also preached at Alsace, Moselem, 
Epler’s, Mertz’s. 

1746. Muhlenberg induced Conrad Weiser to purchase a 50-acre plot 
for the Allemaengel congregation in Albany. 

1746-62. J. N. Kurtz, D. D.—Tulpehocken, Northkill, St. Daniel’s, 
Atolheo (Rehrersburg). Assisted by his brother, Wm. Kurtz, 
1761-3. 

1752. Lucas Rauss—Began record at Hill church. 

1753. H. B. Wordman—Trinity, Reading. 

1754. Daniel Schumacher—Trinity, Reading; 1755-70. Allemaengel, 

Maxatawny, Windsor, Alsace, Schwartzwald, Greenwich, Oley, 
Hill; 1770. Built New Allemaengel (White Church). 

1757- 8. John C. Hartwig (founder of first Theological School in 

America)—Trinity, Reading. 

1758- 63. John Schwerdtfeger—Allegheny, Plow. 

1759- 63. Bernhard M. Hausihl—Trinity, Reading. 

1760- 78. J. H. Schaum—Kutztown, Moselem, Rockland, Ontelaunee. 

1764- 71. John A. Krug—Trinity, Reading, and connected congrega¬ 

tions. 

1765- 85. John L. Voigt—Hill. 

1769-72. Peter Mishler—Hamburg, Zion’s, St. Paul’s, first pastor of 
St. Michael’s. 


379 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


1769- 1826. Freedrick A. Miller—St. Paul’s; 1777-80. Allemaengel; 

St. Michael’s at intervals. 

1770. Ernest Muhlenberg—Frequently preached in Churches of 
Berks. 

1770. John A. Frederici—Allemaengel 

1770- 4. Frederick A. Muhlenberg (first speaker of U. S. Congress) 

—Assistant pastor at Tulpehocken; 1776. Supply at Trinity, 
Reading, and Hill Church. 

1771- 4. Peter Niemeyer—Trinity, Reading. 

1771-1809. Christopher Em. Schultze (Muhlenberg’s son-in-law)— 
Christ, Zion, Rehrersburg, St. Daniel’s, Womelsdorf, Bern- 
ville, Little Tulpehocken, Schaefferstown. Assisted by his 
son, John Andrew Schultze, 1796-1802. 

1774. Philip Grotz—Trinity, Reading, Schwatzwald, Alsace. 

1775-7. Heinrich Moeller—Trinity, Reading, and vicinity; 1790-5, 
Allegheny. 

1778-9. Adolph von Gerresheim—Amityville. 

1778-80. Daniel Lehman—Trinity, Reading, and again from 1797 to 
1801; 1778-1810. Allemaengel; in 1793, according to his own 
statement, he was pastor at Moselem, Rockland, Kutztown, 
Windsor, Hamburg, Bern, two congregations in Albany, and 
Greenwich. He also preached at Hill. 

1780. George Botler—Allegheny. 

1780-2. John M. Schmitt—Hill. 

1780- 98. F. T. Illing—Plow, Gibraltar. 

1781- 83. John D. Schroeder—Allegheny. 

1782- 96. Charles F. Wildbahn—Trinity, Reading. During his pastor¬ 

ate present edifice was built; 1798-01, Spies, Rockland, 
Amityville. 

1785. Christian Streit (first native Lutheran Minister)—Hill, Amity¬ 
ville. 

1785. Theodore Melscheimer—Allegheny Plow. 

1789-91. John F. Weinland—Hill, Amityville, also 1796-99. 

1791-2. John C. Dill—Hill. 

1793. Peter Bentz—Belleman’s, Allegheny. 

1794-1804. John Obenhausen—Grimsville, Wessnersville. 

1796-7. Adam N. Markard—Trinity, Reading. 

1798-1813. John Plitt—Allegheny, Plow. 

1798-1808. F. W. Geisenhainer—Hill. 

1803. Daniel G. Schaeffer—Zion, Perry Twp. 

1803. Wm. H. Scriba—Trinity, Reading. 

1803-28. Henry A. Muhlenberg (U. S. Ambassador to Austria)— 
Trinity, Reading, Alsace, Sinking Spring, Schwartzwald, 
Spies. 

1805-6. Henry A. Geisenhainer—Amityville. 

1808- 14. John P. Hecht—Amityville. 

1809- 11. George Riemensnyder—Bernville. 


380 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


1809- 29. Jacob Miller, D. D.—Boyertown, Hill; 1829-50, Trinity, Read¬ 

ing, Sinking Spring, Alsace, Schwartzwald, Spies. 

1810- 14. Henry Heine—Allemaengel. 

1810- 15. William Beates—Womelsdorf. 

1811- 23. John Knoske—Allemaengel, Moselem; 1821-49, he served 

from two to six congregations in Berks, including Rockland, 
Kutztown, etc. 

1811-51. Daniel Ulrich—Christ, Reed’s, Rehrersburg, St. Daniel’s, 
Newmanstown, Bernville, Little Tulpehocken. 

1814-20. Ernst Braunsius—Amityville, Zion (Perry). 

1817. Frederick Engel—Hamburg and six other congregations. 

1817- 25. Peter Filbert (first mayor of Reading)—Allegheny, Plow. 

1818- 21. Benjamin German—Womelsdorf; 1821-37, New Jerusalem. 
1820-54. Conrad Miller—Amityville, Longswamp, Hill, Oley, Mose¬ 
lem, Huff’s. 

1823-28. Geo. C. Strein—Hamburg, Zion, New Bethel, Gernant’s, 
Belleman’s. 

1825-34. John W. Richards, D. D.—Allegheny, Plow. 

1825-75. G. F. J. Iaeger—for longer or shorter periods, Wessners- 
ville, Hamburg, St. Peter’s (Richmond), Zion (Perry), Dun- 
kel’s, St. Paul’s (Windsor), New Bethel (Albany), Grims- 
ville, Lenhartsville. 

1828-31. Ludwig Walz. Hamburg, Allemaengel, St. Paul’s, Zion, 
Epler’s. 

1830-61. Isaac Roeller—Moselem, Mertztown, Fleetwood, Long- 
swamp, Kutztown, Allemaengel, Huff’s, Mertz. 

1833- 51. George Minnig—Bernville, Mertztown, Fleetwood, Long- 

ler’s, Gernant’s. 

1834- 38. C. F. Welden, D. D.—Allegheny, Plow. 

1838- 42. Charles P. Miller—Allegheny, Plow. 

1839- 53. Daniel Kohler—at various intervals, Oley, Lobachsville, 

Friedensburg, Bern, Kutztown, Pricetown. 

1841- 3. Charles A. Griebler—New Jerusalem, Pricetown. 

1842- 5. Mark Harpel—Oley, Friedensburg. 

1842-9. James L. Schock, D. D.—St. Matthew’s Reading. 

1842-50. F. A. M. Keller—English pastor of Trinity, Reading, Sink¬ 
ing Spring, Alsace, Schwartzwald, Spies; 1850-64, founded 
St. James, Reading, also served Plow, Geigertown, Kissinger. 

1844-7. Peter Z. Oberfeld—Longswamp. 

1844- 56. John C. Schmidt—at various periods, New Jerusalem, St. 

Michael’s, Little Tulpehocken, Kissinger, Sinking Spring, 
Rehrersburg Union, Millersburg. 

1845- 47. A. T. Geisenhainer—Oley, Friedensburg, Hamburg. 

1845-49. Jeremiah Harpel—Allegheny, Plow, Bernville. 

1848-72. Geo. F. Miller (principal of Hill School)—Amityville, Oley, 
Friedensburg. 


381 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


1849- 59. James A. Brown, D. D., LL. D., (father of J. Hay Brown 

of Pennsylvania Supreme Court)—St. Matthew’s, Reading. 

1850. Joseph R. Focht—Allegheny, Geigertown, Bernville. 

1850- 2. T. T. Iaeger—Rehrersburg Union, Allegheny, Plow; 1852-65, 

Womelsdorf, Rehrersburg, Millersburg, Sinking Spring, North 
Heidelberg, Bern, Reed’s, St. Daniel’s, Belleman’s, Shoe- 
makersville, St. Michael’s; 1870-88, Oley, Spies, Bern, Shal- 
ter’s, Friedensburg, Zion (Perry). 

1850-54. Reuben Wagner—Alsace, Gouglersville, Spies, Hinnerschitz; 

1854-61, Schwartzwald, Allegheny, Epler’s, Gernant’s, Gib¬ 
raltar. 

1850-65. J. M. Deitzler—brief periods at Womelsdorf, Strausstown. 

1851. Joel Grim—Lobachsville, Pricetown. 

1852. J. Haschold—Hinnerschitz, etc. 

1852-7. Nathan Jeager—Boyertown, Hill. 

1852-66. G. A. Hinterleitner, D. D.—Trinity (Kutztown), Friedens¬ 
burg, Lobachsville, Oley, Dunkel’s. 

1852-67. Lewis G. Eggers—Christ Reed’s, Rehrersburg, Newmans- 
town, Millbach, Womelsdorf from 1858. 

1854-7. John N. Hoffman—Trinity, Reading. 

1856- 8. Charles Reese—Bernville, Little Tulpehocken, Millersburg, 

Rehrersburg Union. 

1857- 8. F. J. F. Schantz, D. D.—Trinity, Reading; 1867-1907, Mt. 

Aetna. 

1857- 9. Ferdinand Berkemeyer—Longswamp. 

1858- 61. J. H. Eberman—Hamburg Shoemakersville. 

1858-64. Henry Wendt—Boyertown Hill. 

1858-66. Hugo G. Grahn, D. D.—Bernville, Little Tulpehocken, North 
Heidelberg, Rehrersburg Union, Millersburg, Strausstown. 

1858- 67. Samuel S. Kline—Hamburg, Allemaengel. 

1859- 1900. B. E. Kramlich (for 23 years president of K. S. N. S. 

Board of Trustees)—Maxatawny, Fleetwood, Mertz’s, Mertz- 
town, organized St. Peter’s, Topton. 

1859-1903. B. D. Zweizig—Assistant to F. A. M. Keller until 1864; 

Gernant’s; 1867, organized Blandon and Leesport; 1860-7, 
Plow, Gouglersville; 1864, Sinking Spring, Belleman’s, Ep¬ 
ler’s; 1867-1900, Yocum’s, St. Michael’s, 1860-1903, Hinner¬ 
schitz, Schwartzwald. 

1859-62. E. M. Sell—Longswamp, Bowers, Lobachsville. 

1859- 61. M. Valentine, D. D., LL. D., (President of Gettysburg Sem¬ 

inary)—St. Matthew’s, Reading. 

1860- 1917. J. J. Kuendig, D. D., (Editor of the “Pilger” 14 years)— 

St. John’s, Reading. 

1861- 5. Cyrus Rightmyer—Trinity, Reading, Pa. 

1863-8. Alfred D. Croll—Bowers, Lobachsville, Hill, Longswamp, 
Huff’s, St. Peter’s, Mohrsville. 


382 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


1864. Matthias Richards, D. D., (Professor of English at Muhlen¬ 
berg College)—Supply pastor of St. James and Trinity, Rdg. 

1864. Henry S. Miller (in the ministry 64 years)—a short time pas¬ 

tor at Geigertown, Plow, St. Daniel’s. 

1864-66. Aaron Finfrock—Geigertown, Kissinger, Bern; 1866-91, St. 
Daniel’s, Reed’s, Strausstown, Host, Womelsdorf. 

1864- 7. F. C. Lampe—St. James, Reading. 

1865. A. H. Groh—Boyertown. 

1865- 91. Leonhard Groh, D. D.,—Boyertown. 

1865-7. F. T. Hoover (Author of “Enemies in the Rear”)—Gibraltar, 
Plow. 

1865-96. Jacob Fry, D. D., LL. D. (Professor of Homiletics, Mt. Airy 
Seminary)—Trinity, Reading. 

1867-8. Thomas Steck—Bernville. 

1867-73. F. J. Wicklein—Becker’s St. Peter’s, Alsace. 

1867-81. B. M. Schmucker D. D., (leading liturgist)—St. James. 
1867-83. Geo. F. Spieker, D. D., LL. D., (Professor of Church His¬ 
tory, Mt. Airy Sem.)—Trinity, Kutztown, Moselem, Price- 
town. 

1867- 1907. F. J. F. Schantz, D. D.—Mt. Aetna. 

1868- 72. Samuel Domer, D. D.—St. Matthew’s Reading. 

1868-73. Simon R. Boyer—Huff’s, Longswamp, Bowers. 

1868-1903. D. K. Humbert—1868-72, Plow, Geigertown, Gibraltar, 

Allegheny, Gouglersville; 1872-89, Hill Lobachsville; 1872- 
1903, Bowers, Longswamp, Huff’s, New Jerusalem. 

1868- 1914. D. D. Trexler—Bernville, until 1876; Little Tulpehocken, 

until 1878; North Heidelberg, until 1882; began at Shartles- 
ville in 1874, and in Lenhartsville, 1880; served Rehrersburg 
Union and Millersburg during his entire ministry. 

1869- 21. F. K. Huntzinger, D. D.—St. Luke’s, Reading; 1869-81, 

Kissinger’s; 1870-6, St. Paul’s, Windsor; 1873-97, Alsace; 
1874-97. Becker’s St. Peter’s. 

1872-77. John M. Anspach, D. D.—St. Matthew’s, Reading. 

1872- 80. Charles Koerner, D. D.—Amityville. 

1873- 1909. Z. H. Gable—Gibraltar, Geigertown, Plow, Allegheny, 

Gouglersville, Birdsboro. 

1874- 96. B. S. Smoll—Grimsville, Dunkel’s, Wessnersville, New 

Bethel (Albany); 1875-80, St. Paul’s (Windsor). 

1874-1909. Achilles Long—Stouchsburg, Rehrersburg, Millbach, 

Newmanstown, Little Tulpehocken, Schaefferstown. 

1875. William Wackernagel D. D., LL. D., (Pub. “Reminiscences of 
the Holy Land”)—Supplied St. John’s, Reading. 

1876 — Wm. H. Myers, (Pub. “Book of Travel Through Europe”)— 

Grace, Reading. 

1877- 94. T. C. Billheimer, D. D. (Prof. Theol. Sem. Gettysburg)—St. 

Matthew’s, Reading. 


383 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


1877-1913. J. J. Cressman—St. John’s, Kutztown; until 1900, Bern- 
ville, North Heidelberg. 

1879- 82. P. C. Croll—Womelsdorf and vicinity. 

1880- 3. C. K. Drumheller, M. D.—Hamburg Parish. 

1881- 97. U. P. Heilman (First Supt. O. H. Topton)—Amityville, 

Friedensburg, Pricetown. 

1881-1909. M. C. Horine, D. D.—St. James, Reading. 

1884-90. Wm. A. Miller—Trinity, Kutztown. 

1884- 96. Oscar D. Miller—Hamburg, St. Paul’s Zion’s Shoemakers- 

ville. 

1885- 7. Theophilus Ander—Assistant St. John’s, Reading. 

1885- 90. Lewis J. Bickel—Hope, Peace, Faith, Reading. 

1886— E. S. Brownmiller, D. D.—Reed’s; from 1889, St. Mark’s, Read¬ 

ing, Oley, Spies, Kissinger’s, Shalter’s until 1909, Bern until 
1917. 

1886-1915. J. J. Kline, Ph. D.—Bechtelsville. 

1889. H. W. Warmkessel—Hope, Hill, Lobachsville; Faith, Peace, 

until 1896. 

1890. Franklin F. Fry, D. D.—Acting pastor of Trinity, Reading. 

1891-3. C. C. Boyer, Ph. D., (Author of “Concrete Psychology”)— 

Boyertown. 

1891- 1901. S. L. Harkey, D. D., (Author of “Art in Church”)—Trin¬ 

ity, Kutztown. 

1892- 1901. Wm. W. Kramlich—Womelsdorf, St. Daniel’s, Host, 

Strausstown. 

1893- 1901. R. W. Hufford, D. D.—St. Matthew’s; 1914-19, Shilling- 

ton, Oakbrook. 

1893—A. M. Weber—Boyertown. 

1895-7. George Drach, D. D.—Assistant, Trinity, Reading. 

1895- 1900. Reinhold G. Bielinski—Assistant, St. John’s, Reading. 

1896- 1913. Oscar S. Scheirer—Grimsville, Dunkel’s, Wessnersville, 

New Bethel (Albany). 

1897- 1901. L. D. Lazarus—Peace, Faith, Reading. 

1897-1904. W. A. Snyder, D. D.—West Reading, Wernersville, Yo¬ 
cum’s. 

1897-1904. Wm. U. Kistler—Amityville, Friedensburg, Pricetown. 

1897— 1910. H. C. Kline—Hamburg, Zion, St. Paul’s. 

1896-1911. E. T. Horn, D. D., LL. D., (Author of “The Christian 
Year”)—Trinity, Reading. 

1898— Chas. E. Kistler—Alsace; 1901-2, Bernville; 1903-8, Blandon. 

1899— M. H. Stettler—St. Paul’s, Reading; Mohnton until 1909. 

1900— G. B. Hancher, Ph. D., (Principal K. S. N. S.)—Supplied Grace, 

Reading. 

1900-2. A. C. Schenck—Fleetwood, Topton, Mertz. 

1900-7. J. H. Raker, D. D.—Supt. O. H. Topton. 

1900- 21. F. K. Bernd—Mertztown, Maxatawny, Becker’s St. Peter’s. 

1901- 21. Geo. S. Kressley, Litt. D.—Assisted Dr. Huntzinger. 


384 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


1901- 11. D. G. Gerberich—St. Michael’s, Belleman’s, Shoemakersville, 

Bernville. 

1902- 9. J. 0. Henry—Fleetwood, Topton, Mertz; since 1909 Supt. of 

Orphans’ Home, Topton. 

1902-18. J. F. Snyder—Faith, Peace. 

1902—Philip Kirchner—Assistant at St. John’s; since 1916, Pastor. 

1902— E. P. Pfatteicher, D. D.—Trinity, Kutztown; 1918—Trinity, 

Reading. 

1903- 4. J. W. Early—Supply at Bower’s, Huff’s, Longswamp, New 

Jerusalem. 

1903-6. H. L. Straub—Bernville, North Heidelberg. 

1903-10. F. F. Buermeyer, D. D., Shillington, Oakbrook. 

1903— R. B. Lynch—Trinity, Kutztown, Moselem. 

1904- 9. A. W. Lindenmuth—Amityville, Friedensburg, Pricetown. 

1904-13. O. E. Pflueger—Womelsdorf, Strausstown, St. Daniel’s, 

Host. 

1904-14. G. S. Seaman—Leesport, Epler’s, Gernant’s, Hinnerschitz. 

1904—Wm. F. Bond—Longswamp, New Jerusalem, Bowers, Huff’s. 
1904—Wm. O. Laub—West Reading, Schwartzwald; Yocum’s, until 
1923. 

1904—J. W. Lazarus—Sinking Spring, Wernersville. 

1907—A. E. Youse, Mt. Aetna. 

1909-10. H. A. Kunkel—Mohnton. 

1900-12. J. H. Neiman—Shillington. 

1909-15. H. W. Fitting—Amityville, Friedensburg, Pricetown. 

1909- 22. M. L. Zweizig, D. D.—St. James, Reading. 

1910- 22. G. D. Druckenmiller, Hamburg. 

1910—W. S. Dry—1910-21, Stouchsburg, Rehrersburg, Millbach, New- 
manstown; until 1912, Little Tulpehocken and Schaeffers- 
town; 1921, Maxatawny, Mertztown, Becker’s St. Peter’s. 
1910—W. F. Deibert—Birdsboro, Geigertown; until 1915, Gibraltar. 
1910—W. H. Kline—Topton, Fleetwood, Mertz. 

1910— Chas. G. Heffner—Mohnton, Gouglersville, Allegheny ville; 

Plow, until 1920. 

1911— W. K. Fisher—1911-13, Wyomissing, Shalter’s, Blandon; 1913- 

Shoemakersville, St. Paul’s, Zion, Lenhartsville. 

1911- 13. J. C. Seegers, D. D., Trinity, Reading. (Prof. Theol. Sem., 

Phila.) 

1912- 16. C. P. Harry (Author of “Protest and Progress”)—Holy 

Spirit, Reading. 

1912— L. R. Miller—St. Michael’s, Belleman’s, Bernville, North Heid¬ 

elberg. 

1913— M. L. Brownmiller—Assistant in St. Mark’s Parish. 

1914— 17. N. R. Melhorn, D. D. (Editor of The Lutheran)—Trinity, 

Reading. 

1914—I. W. Klick—Strausstown, Shartlesville, Millersburg, Rehrers¬ 
burg Union, Little Tulpehocken, Schaefferstown. 


385 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


1914—E. E. Landis—Leesport, Gernant’s, Epler’s, Hinnerschitz. 

1914—H. S. Kidd—Womelsdorf, Host, St. Daniel’s, Robesonia. 

1914—J. 0. Schlenker—Grimsville, Wessnersville, Dunkel’s, New 
Bethel. 

1914— J. W. Bittner—St. John’s, Kutztown, Blandon; since 1917, Bern. 

1915— H. B. Ritter—Amityville, Friedensburg, Pricetown. 

1916- 18. C. K. Fegley—Wyomissing. 

1917- 19. R. H. Ischinger—Bechtelsville. 

1917- 20. Chas. C. Snyder—Holy Spirit, Reading. 

1918— J. L. Deaton—Wyomissing, Rosedale. 

1918-19. E. Crouthamel—Faith, Peace. 

1920—W. E. Wenner—Bechtelsville. 

1920. D. E. Fethorolf—Oakbrook. 

1920—Corson C. Snyder—Shillington, Gibraltar, Plow. 

1920— Raymond J. Heckman—Faith, Peace. 

1921— C. G. Beck—Holy Spirit, Reading. 

1922— W. A. Fluck—St. Luke’s, Reading. 

1922—Rufus E. Kern—Hamburg. 

1922—David F. Longacre—Stouchsburg, Rehrersburg, Millbach, New- 
manstown. 

1922—Harry E. Herman—Redeemer, Oakbrook. 

1922—Harry K. Lantz—St. James, Reading. 

Following are a number of pastors who served parishes of the 
East Pennsylvania Synod, on Reading Conference territory: 

Lyons—J. A. Singmaster, D. D., LL. D., Morris F. Good, D. D., 
G. W. Fritch, George J. Martz, W. J. Gaby, A. B. Miller, B. S. Dise, 

M. S. Miller, J. I. Hummer. 

Glenside and Stony Creek Mills—N. S. Wolf, George R. Schwartz, 
O. O. Leidich. 

St. Matthew’s, Reading—Luther S. Black, Geo. W. Nicely, D. D., 

N. S. Wolf, C. R. Myers, S. W. Steckel, W. C. Dunlap, D. D. 

St. Peter’s Reading—H. C. Schindle, J. A. Richter, Wm. B. Smith, 
Ph. D. 


386 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



MARTIN LUTHER 

Born at Eisleben, November 10, 1483 
Died at Eisleben, February 18, 1546 


387 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



HENRY MELCHIOR MUHLENBERG 


Patriarch of the Lutheran Church of America. Born, 
Hanover, Germany, 1711. Came to America 1742. Over¬ 
seeing pastor of Berks County churches for 20 years. 
Founder of first Lutheran Synod in America. Author of 
first Lutheran Liturgy in America. Married Anna Maria 
Weiser at Stouchsburg, April 30, 1745. Third President of 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania, 1760-1771. 

Motto: “The Church Must Be Planted/’ 

Died and buried at Trappe, Pa, 1787. 


388 












LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


JOHN PETER GABRIEL MUHLENBERG 
Oldest son of Henry Mel¬ 
chior; Born at Trappe, Pa., 

1746; Educated at Halle; 

Ordained in 1768; Pastor at 
Woodstock, Va.; “A time to 
pray and a time to fight.” 

Major General of the United 
States Army in the Revolu¬ 
tionary War; Died at Phila¬ 
delphia, 1807. 


GOTTHILF HENRY ERNESTUS 
MUHLENBERG 

Third surviving son of Henry 
Melchior; Born at Trappe, Pa., 
1753; Educated at Halle; Ordained, 
1770, Age 17 years; Pastor of Trin¬ 
ity, Lancaster, 1780-1815; One of 
America’s greatest botanists; Died 
and buried at Lancaster, 1815. 

FREDERICK AUGUSTUS CONRAD MUHLENBERG 

Second son of Henry Mel¬ 
chior; Born at Trappe, Pa., 

1750; Educated at Halle; 

Ordained 1770; Assistant 
Pastor at Stouchsburg; Or¬ 
ganized New York Minister- 
ium; President of Penna. 

Convention when U. S. Con¬ 
stitution was ratified; 

Speaker of first and second 
Congresses; Died and 
buried at Lancaster, 1801. 





389 








THOSE OF TO-DAY 

and others who served Berks county congregations for ten 
years or more within the memory of members now living or 
who were personally prominent or rendered conspicuous 
service. 


390 













LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. C. G. BECK 


Charles Gurney Beck a son of Richard 
H. Beck, M.D. and Annie H. nee Herman 
was born at Maxatawny, Pa., on September 
21, 1877. Most of his younger years were 
spent at Newburg, Northampton County, 
Pa. where his father practised his profes¬ 
sion . He graduated at Muhlenberg College 
in 1898 and at Philadelphia Seminary in 
1901 and was ordained shortly afterwards 
by the Ministerium of Pa. From 1901 to 
1905 he was pastor at Mahone Bay, Nova 
Scotia, Canada. From 1905 to 1909 he was 
pastor at Montreal, Canada. He then re¬ 
turned to Pennsylvania and was pastor of 
St. Peter’s North Wales from 1909 to 1921. 
Since 1921 he has been pastor of Holy 
Spirit, Reading. In 1902 he married Cora 
A. Smith. He has two sons. 



REV. F. K. BERND 

Franklin Kline Bernd a son of Francis 
G. Bernd and Christine (Kline) was born 
at Egypt, Lehigh Co., on March 16, 1850. 
He entered the Normal School at Kutztown 
and graduated in 1871. He had charge of 
the Model School in connection with the 
Normal until 1877. From this time until 
1880 he was Principal of the Schools at 
Lehighton. In the latter year he entered 
the Seminary at Philadelphia graduating 
in 1883. On May 22 of the same year he 
was ordained by the Ministerium of Penn¬ 
sylvania. He then became Pastor of Jordan 
Congregation, Lehigh Co., which he served 
until 1889 when he accepted the Professor¬ 
ship of Latin and Greek at Kutztown. In 
1900 he was called to be the Pastor of 
Mertztown and Maxatawny. For some time 
he filled both positions and then resigned 
the Professorship, giving his entire time to 
his parish which now included St. Peter’s. 
On March 25, 1875 he married Hattie Heil¬ 
man of Lehighton, Penna. He died at Kutz¬ 
town on May 2, 1921. Survived by a son 
and five daughters. He was buried at Le¬ 
highton. 



391 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


See 

Page 

363 


REV. T. C. BILLHEIMER, D.D. 

Thomas Charles Billheimer a son of Jesse 
and Julia A. Billheimer was born in North¬ 
ampton Co., on Oct. 11, 1842. He entered 
Pennsylvania College in 1862 and graduated 
in 1865. He took the usual course in theolo¬ 
gy at the Seminary at Gettysburg and was 
licensed in 1867. He was Pastor at Wat- 
sontown, Pa., 1867-68; at Shippensburg 
1868-74; at Pittsburg 1874-77; at St. Mat¬ 
thew’s, Reading 1877-94. He was Professor 
at the Gettysburg Seminary from 1894 to 
1911 when he was elected Professor Emeri¬ 
tus. On Dec. 31, 1867 he married Emma 
C. Ziegler of York, Pa. He died at Gettys¬ 
burg on February 10, 1923. His widow and 
three sons survive. 


REV. J. W. BITTNER 



Jacob Harvey Webster Bittner, a son of 
Nathan Bittner and Hettie (nee Schadt) 
was born in Lowhill Towship, Lehigh 
County, June 18, 1882. His early years 
were spent on the farm. The rudiments of 
an education he obtained in the public 
schools of the district. Afterwards he at¬ 
tended the American Business College at 
Allentown. From there he went to the 
Preparatory department of Muhlenberg 
College. He was admitted to College 
proper in 1903, and graduated in 1907. He 
entered the Theological Seminary at Mt. 
Airy in the fall of the same year and 
graduated from that institution in 1910. 
He was then ordained by the Ministerium 
of Pennsylvania, May 22, at Philadelphia. 
He at once entered upon the pastorate of 
the Brickerville parish, in Lancaster Co. 
He served this field until the fall of 1914, 
when he accepted a call to the Kutztown- 
Blandon parish, which he is now serving. 

July 26, 1906, he married Carrie Rauch. 
He has a daughter. 


392 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. W. F. BOND 

William Franklin Bond a son of Edwin 
Bond and Catharine (Stump) was born in 
Greenwich Twp., Oct. 31, 1861. He entered 
the Normal School at Kutztown in 1881. 
He entered Muhlenberg College in 1884, 
graduating in 1888. The same year he 
entered the Seminarv at Philadelphia and 
graduated in 1891. He was ordained by 
the Ministerium of Pennsylvania on May 
26, 1891. His first charge consisted of St. 
Paul’s, Tower City and St. Peter’s, Orwin 
which he served from 1891 until 1904. In 
the latter year he accepted a call to the 
Bower’s Parish which he is still serving. 
In 1891 he married Miss Amy A. Brehm 
who died on July 30, 1901. In 1904 he 
married Mrs. Katie E. (Krebs) Snyder. 
He is the father of two sons and four 
daughters. 



REV. C. C. BOYER, PH.D. 

Charles Clinton Boyer is the son of 
Joseph and Magdalena (Gunsett) Boyer. 
He was born in Lewisburg, Schuylkill 
county, Pa., August 6, 1860. He attended 
Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, 
1877-80. He studied privately under Rev. 
I. S. N. Erb at Orwigsburg, 1880-83. In 
the latter year he entered the junior class 
at Muhlenberg College and graduated in 
1885. Then he spent nearly a year at the 
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Phila¬ 
delphia. Afterwards he continued his 
theological studies under Rev. G. B. Handl¬ 
er, Ph.D., Kutztown, and was ordained in 
Trinity church, Lancaster, May 29, 1888. 
He was professor of pedagogy and psychol¬ 
ogy in the Normal School at Kutztown, 
1886-91. In the latter vear he received and 
accepted a call as pastor of St. John’s 
Evangelical Lutheran church, Boyertown. 
This position he filled for two years, when 
he returned to the work of teaching in 
which he is still engaged at the Normal 
School, Kutztown, Pa. August 7, 1889, he 
married Miss Margie Wright, Mt. Carmel, 
Northumberland county, Pa. 

He does extensive supply work in vacant 
pulpits. 



393 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


See 

Page 

363 


REV. J. A. BROWN, D. D., LL. D. 

James Allen Brown a son of James and 
Anna Brown was born in Lancaster County, 
Feb. 19, 1821. He entered Pennsylvania 
College in 1841, graduating the following 
year. He was licensed in 1844. His Pas¬ 
torates were as follows—Luther Chapel, 
Baltimore 1845-48, York, Pa., 1848-49; 
St. Matthew’s, Reading 1849-59. In the 
latter year he was called to the Professor¬ 
ship in the Seminary and College at New¬ 
berry, S. C. of which he was afterwards 
the President. The breaking out of the war 
caused his hasty return to Penna. in 1861. 
He served as Chaplain from 1861 until 1864 
when he became President of Gettysburg 
Seminary. He held this position until 
1881, when because of disability he retired. 
On Sept. 12, 1848 he married Mary Hay of 
York, Penna. He died at Lancaster on 
June 19, 1882, survived by a son who has 
since become a Judge of the Supreme Court. 
Dr. Brown was a leader in the Lutheran 
Church throughout his entire career. 



REV. E. S. BROWNMILLER, D. D. 

Ephriam Stein Brownmiller, a son of 
Joseph Brownmiller and Hannah (Stein) 
was born at Hamlin, formerly known as 
Klopp’s Church, Lebanon county, Pa., Octo¬ 
ber 5, 1853. His boyhood days were spent 
in the public schools. He attended Umben- 
hen’s private school one session. In 1868 he 
became organist of Christ church, Stouchs- 
burg, and attended the academy at that 
place meanwhile, until 1870. During the 
spring term of the latter year he attended 
Palatinate College, Myerstown. In the fall 
he went to Swatara Institute, Jonestown. 
During 1871 and 1872 he taught school near 
Mt. Aetna and at Wintersville. In the spring 
of 1872 he went to Selinsgrove to continue 
his studies. As a student he supplied Union 
Deposit and Sand Hill 1874, and in 1875 he 
was licensed by the East Pennsylvania 
Synod, at Reading. Sandy Hollow and 
Wenrich’s were added, 1876. In 1881 he 
took charge of Ephrata parish. He then 
united with the Ministerium of Pennsyl¬ 
vania. In 1886 he added the Reed’s church 
and in 1889 he removed to Reading and took 
charge of the entire parish formerly served 
by Rev. T. T. Iaeger. 

While pastor at Union Deposit he married 
Minnie Anna Zimmerman. They had two 
sons and four daughters. 


394 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. M. L. BROWNMILLER 

Martin Luther Brownmiller a son of Rev. 
E. S. Brownmiller, D.D., and Minnie A. 
nee Zimmerman was born at Union Deposit, 
Dauphin Co., June 17, 1877. He attended 
the public schools at Ephrata and Reading. 
After that he pursued further studies at 
Lebanon Valley College at Annville, from 
1896-1900. He then spent a brief period 
in further study at Gettysburg. 

He entered the Theological department of 
Susquehanna University at Selinsgrove 
and graduated from that institution June 
14, 1904. 

He was ordained by the Susquehanna 
Synod May 22, 1904, at Hughsville, Lycom¬ 
ing Co. He at once became the assistant 
)f his father in St. Mark’s and other con¬ 
gregations of that parish. By arrange¬ 
ment of Conference he also served Shalter’s 
church as its regular supply until 1920. 

Having received a regular dismissal from 
his Synod in 1914, he was received into the 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania . 

He is not.married. 



REV. J. J. CRESSMAN 


John J. Cressman, a son of Abraham J. 
Cressman and Lydia (Frutchey) was born 
at Petersville, Northampton county, Pa., 
June 10, 1841. For a time he was engaged 
in teaching school. He then prepared him¬ 
self for college at the Easton Collegiate In¬ 
stitute and entered as a freshman at Penn¬ 
sylvania College, Gettysburg, in 1860. Dur¬ 
ing the War he became a member of Com¬ 
pany A, Twenty-sixth Regiment, Pennsyl¬ 
vania Militia, June and July, 1863. He was 
taken prisoner and paroled at the battle of 
Gettysburg. He graduated in 1864 and then 
went to the Theological Seminary at Phila¬ 
delphia, where he graduated in 1867 and was 
ordained in Salem, Lebanon, June 19 of that 
year. 

From 1867 to 1877 he was pastor at South 
Easton. In connection with the pastorate 
of the church, he was also principal of the 
High School and borough superintendent of 
schools for six years. In 1877 he took 
charge of St. John’s, Kutztown, together 
with Frieden’s, Bernville and North Heidel¬ 
berg. He resigned the two latter at the 
beginning of 1900. August 27, 1865, he 
married Miss Emma C. M. Walters, Allen¬ 
town, Pa. Four sons and two daughters 
were born. He died January 5th, 1914. 



395 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



REV. A. D. CROLL 

Alfred D. Croll, was born in Albany 
township, Berks county. Pa., June 25, 1838. 
His parents were John and Catharine Croll. 
He received his early training in the com¬ 
mon schools of the neighborhood. From 
1855 to 1860, five terms, he taught school in 
North Whitehall, Lehigh county. A part 
of 1857 he spent at the Reading Academy 
and the summer of the next two years at 
Freeland Seminary, Montgomery county. 
He spent 1860 to 1862 at the Theological 
Seminary at Gettysburg. He was licensed 
by the West Pennsylvania Synod, at Ship- 
pensburg, September, 1862. With fourteen 
others he was ordained by the Ministerium 
of Pennsylvania in St. John’s church, Read¬ 
ing, June 2, 1863. 

At first he served only DeLong’s 
(Bowers), Lobachville and the Hill church. 
Next year, 1864, he added Longswamp, 
Hereford, (Huff’s), St. Peter’s, and subse¬ 
quently Mohrsville. In April, 1868, he 
went over to the East Pennsylvania Synod. 
A number of new congregations were organ¬ 
ized. Mohrsville, Lyons Station, Pleasant- 
ville, Macungie and Upper Milford, con¬ 
stituted the Lyons charge of the East 
Pennsylvania Synod. 

He had married Alice Trexler. He died 
June 19, 1876. 



REV. P. C. CROLL, D. D. 

Philip Columbus Croll a son of John 
Croll and Catharine DeLong was born in 
Maxatawny Twp., on Oct. 2, 1852. He 
taught school for three terms in North 
Whitehall Twp., Lehigh Co. He was a 
student at the Normal School at Kutztown 
for one term and then entered Pennsylvania 
College in 1873, graduating in 1876. He 
entered the Seminary at Gettysburg and 
graduated in 1879, receiving ordination the 
same year. He was Pastor of Congrega¬ 
tions with Womelsdorf as a center until 
1882, when he was called to St. Matthew’s 
Schuylkill Haven which he served until 1892. 
From 1892 until 1909 he was pastor of the 
Seventh St. Church at Lebanon, Pa. He 
was Pastor of the First Lutheran Church 
of Beardstown, Ill., from 1909 until 1921 
when he retired from the active ministry. 
He then took up his residence at Womelsdorf 
and continued doing supply work, also serv¬ 
ing his community in historical research 
and literary activity. On March 11, 1880 
he married Sallie A. Greiss of Alburtis, Pa. 
He has three sons and two daughters. 


396 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. JOHN L. DEATON, B.D. 

John Leroy Deaton, a son of Rev. Dr. 
Willis and Margaret (Miller) Deaton was 
born at Selwood, S. C., on June 12, 1894. 
He attended the Public Schools and after¬ 
wards Lenoir College where he graduated 
in 1915. He then entered the Philadelphia 
Seminary graduating with the signal de¬ 
gree B.D. He was ordained at the meeting 
of the Ministerium held at St. John’s Phila¬ 
delphia in 1918. He immediately began his 
active ministry in Wyomissing at the 
Church of the Atonement which he still 
serves. He also organized the Calvary 
Congregation, Rosedale, of which he is the 
Supply Pastor. 



REV. W. F. DEIBERT 


Willis Franklin Deibert a son of Joseph 
Peter Deibert and Flora Ann nee Kern, 
was born March 15, 1883, at Lehighton, 
Carbon Co. He secured his preliminary 
education in the public schools at Schnecks- 
ville, Lehigh Co. During 1900, 1901 and 
1903-04, he pursued further studies at the 
Keystone State Normal School, Kutztown, 
Pa. After that he spent three years as 
a public school teacher in Lehigh Co. 

He entered Muhlenberg College as a 
Sophomore in 1904. and graduated in 1907. 
In the fall of the same year he entered 
the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Mt. 
Airy, and graduated in 1910. He was 
ordained May 23, 1910, in St. John’s Church. 
Race St., Philadelphia, by the Ministerium 
of Penna. Having accepted a call from 
the Birdsboro parish, then newly organized, 
he at once entered upon his duties, there 
as pastor. He has served it ever since. 

November 25, 1915, he married Miss 
Maria Louisa Seidel, of Pottstown, Pa. 
He has a son and a daughter. 



397 









LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



REV. J. M. DEITZLER 

Jefferson Minnig Deitzler a son of Jacob 
Deitzler and Mary Minnig was born at 
Pine Grove, Pa., June 17, 1828. He taught 
school for two years and read theology 
with his grandfather Rev. George Minnig 
for several years while he was acting as 
his assistant. In Sept. 1849 he was licensed 
by the Synod of East Penna. and after 
further instruction under Drs. Schock, 
Brown and Wedekind he was ordained. 
From 1850 to 1865 he served a number of 
congregations in Western Berks and Leb¬ 
anon Counties. From 1865 to 1890 he was 
Pastor of Churches in and about Lebanon. 
He then removed to Union Deposit and 
served that Parish until 1895 when he took 
charge of congregations at Dover, York Co., 
Penna. He died on January 18, 1910. 


REV. G. D. DRUCKENMILLER 



George D. Druckenmiller was born in 
Hereford Township, Berks Co., Feb. 26, 
1864. He is the son of Enos Drucken¬ 
miller, and Elizabeth, nee Desh. He was 
brought up on the farm. He attended the 
public schools of the district and afterwards 
those of Upper Milford Township, Lehigh 
County. 

He prepared for college in the Academic 
department of Muhlenberg, and graduated 
from the college proper in 1894. In this 
latter year he entered the Lutheran Theo¬ 
logical Seminary at Mt. Airy, graduating 
from that institution in May, 1897. He was 
ordained the same year by the Ministerium 
of Pennsylvania, at Lancaster. 

He then took charge of the Freeburg 
parish in Snyder County. In the summer 
of 1900, he accepted a call to the Freemans- 
burg parish:—Trinity Union Church; Free- 
mansburg and St. John’s, Williams Town¬ 
ship. Here he remained until December, 
1905. He then accepted a call to Nazareth, 
Penna., where he remained until Septem¬ 
ber, 1910. 

Having accepted a call to Hamburg, he 
then removed thither and served that field 
until April, 1922, when he accepted a call to 
St. John’s Church, Tamaqua. 

He married Ella J., daughter of Peter 
Lerch and Marv, nee Romig, on September 
8, 1897. 


398 







LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. W. S. DRY 


William Scott Dry was born at New 
Jerusalem, Rockland Township, December 
14, 1882. He is a son of Augustus F. Dry 
and Annie, nee, Boyer. He spent his early 
years on the farm and in his father’s 
blacksmith shop. 

From the public schools of his district, he 
w’ent to the Keystone State Normal School 
at Kutztown, spending the years 1898-1900 
and 1903 there. He entered Muhlenberg 
College during the latter year and grad¬ 
uated from that institution in 1906. In the 
fall of that year he entered the Lutheran 
Theological Seminary at Mt. Airy and 
graduated there in 1909. He was ordained 
June 7th of that year in the Church of the 
Holy Communion, Phila. 

He at once entered upon his duty as 
pastor of the Stouchsburg parish. In 1921 
he accepted a call to the Maxatawny Parish 
which he is now serving. 

June 1st, 1911, he married Miss Emma 
M. Hartman. 

He has two sons. 



REV. W. C. DUNLAP, Ph.D. D.D. 

Wilton Clyde Dunlap a son of Scott Dun¬ 
lap and Lydia nee Dunlap was born at 
Pine Grove Mills, Centre Co. Pa. on De¬ 
cember 29, 1865. His early training was 
received in the public schools and an acad¬ 
emy of his native place. He prepared for 
college at the Missionary Institute at Selins- 
grove Pa. from which he graduated in 1889. 
He graduated from Gettysburg College in 
1891 and from Gettysburg Seminary in 
1894. He did post graduate work at the 
Iowa Christian College and at the Central 
University, Indianapolis. He served at 
Duncannon 1894-95; Spencerville Ind. 1895- 
99; Oswego N. Y. 1899-1901; Montoursville, 
Pa. 1901-11; Pittsburgh (St. Mark’s) 1911- 
12; North Manchester, Ind. 1912-16; Louis¬ 
ville, Kentucky, 1916-21; Reading, St. Mat¬ 
thew’s, 1921 to present time. He married 
Irene Beck of Loveville, Pa. June 6, 1894. 
Three sons and a daughter were born. The 
mother died in 1917. On February 25, 1919 
he married Miss May Violet Rhone. 



399 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. J. W. EARLV 



John William Early a son of William 
Early and Leah (Dutweiler) was born 
near Palmyra Sept. 3, 1835. His boyhood 
days were spent on the farm. At the age 
of seventeen he entered the Preparatory 
Department of Gettysburg College gradu¬ 
ating in 1857. He entered Gettysburg Sem¬ 
inary in 1858 and was ordained in Phila¬ 
delphia in 1860. He served the following 
parishes—Leacock 1860-66; Elizabethtown 
1866-68; Selinsgrove, 1868-70; Stone Valley 
Parish 1870-75; Danville German 1875-83: 
Trevorton, 1883-87; Millersville, 1887-89; 
Jersey Shore 1889-93. From Jersey Shore 
he moved to Reading where he served va¬ 
cant pulpits until his death on Jan. 15, 1918. 
On Jan. 8, 1861 he married Jane M. Eggers. 
He published two hundred and twenty five 
sketches of Lutheran Ministers in Berks 
County. At the request of the Reading 
Conference historical sketches of Lutheran 
congregations in Berks Co. were prepared 
by him and published in the Reading Times 
in 1907. 


REV. A. O. EBERT 



Alfred Oliver Ebert was born in Lynn 
Township, Lehigh Co., February 19, 1870. 
He is a son of Amandes Ebert and his 
wife, Sarah A., nee, Moser. He received 
his early education in the public schools, 
and afterwards the select schools of his 
district. He then taught three terms in 
the public schools, meanwhile preparing for 
college. 

He entered Muhlenberg College in the 
fall of 1889 and graduated 1893. In the 
fall of that same year he entered the Luth¬ 
eran Theological Seminary and graduated 
from that institution in 1896. He was 
ordained by the Ministerium of Pennsyl¬ 
vania, June 17, 1896. in St. John’s Allen¬ 
town. He at once entered upon his duty 
as pastor of the Audenried, Beaver Meadow 
parish, Luzerne Co. 

Having received a call from Shoenersville 
and Rittersville, he removed thither August 
1, 1904. This field he served until called 
to the New Tripoli parish, consisting of 
Ebenezer at New Tripoli; Jacobs, Jackson¬ 
ville; St. Reber’s, Leymanville; St. Paul’s 
Seiberlingsville, and Jerusalem (Allemaen- 
gel). The last named is in Berks County. 
He is serving this field now. 

He married Anna Minerva, daughter of 
the former pastor, Rev. H. S. Fegley in 
1897. He is the father of five sons and 
three daughters. 


400 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. L. G. EGGERS 


Lewis Gustavus Eggers a son of Henry 
Eggers and Charlotte (Lambrecht) was 
born in Hanover, Germany Feb. 14, 1805. 
He came to America with his parents in 
1822. He entered the School at Gettysburg 
in 1829 and the Theological Seminary in 
1831. The Ministerium of Pennsylvania 
licensed him in 1835 to serve in Nittany 
and Sugar Valley. His license was renewed 
by the West Penna. Synod in 1836. He 
remained here until 1847 when he moved 
to Palmyra, serving congregations in this 
town and vicinity until 1851. In the latter 
year he took charge of the Stouchsburg 
Parish and served it until 1867, when be¬ 
cause of feeble health he retired. Having 
regained his health somewhat he accepted 
a call to the Trevorton Charge in 1869. 
Two years later at the urgent request of 
the Palmyra Parish he returned to his 
former field, serving it for about four years 
and then retired. On Feb. 6, 1838 he mar¬ 
ried Lydia Schaeffer who died in 1868. In 
1872 he married Elizabeth B. Kettering (nee 
Harper). In Oct. 1882 he died leaving a 
son and two daughters. 



REV. PETER FILBERT 

Peter Filbert a son of Peter Filbert, 
Sheriff of Berks Co., was born in Reading 
in 1793. In 1814 he was licensed as a 
Candidate for the Ministry. In 1817 he 
was ordained as a Deacon and in 1820 he 
was declared a Minister. Before this time 
and until 1829 he served in the New Hol¬ 
land Charge. Because of difficulty in the 
use of the German language he read law 
and was admitted to the bar in 1831. In 
1840 he represented Berks Co. in the State 
Legislature. While Reading was still a 
Borough he was its Chief Burgess and 
when the City charter was granted in 1847 
he became the first Mayor under it and held 
the office for one year. In connection with 
his pastorate he served the Allegheny and 
Plow Churches of southwestern Berks. He 
died May 28, 1864. 


See 

Page 

19 


401 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



R,EV. A. FINFROCK 

Aaron Finfrock a son of Peter Finfrock 
and wife (nee Meckley) was born in Fred¬ 
erick Co., Md., on August 1, 1825. His 
early years were spent in private schools 
and in the Academy at Manchester. In 
1849 he entered the Preparatory Depart¬ 
ment of Gettysburg College, afterwards 
pursuing the regular college course until 
1854, then adopting a special course until 
1856 when he entered the Gettysburg Sem¬ 
inary. After the completion of his theo¬ 
logical course in the fall of 1858 he was 
licensed by the Synod of Maryland. Hav¬ 
ing accepted a call to the Dillsburg Charge, 
he was ordained by the West Penna. Synod 
at Hanover Sept. 5, 1858. Here he remain¬ 
ed until 1864 when he removed to Berks 
Co. and took charge of St. Daniel’s, Geiger- 
town, Kissingers ana Bern. In Dec. 1865 
he settled at Womelsdorf as Pastor of the 
Womelsdorf Parish, retaining for a short 
time Bern and Kissingers. He served this 
parish until 1891 when he retired from the 
active ministry. In 1896 he moved to Read¬ 
ing and resided there partly disabled until 
Oct. 29, 1902 when he died. 



REV. W. K. FISHER 

Willaim Klopp Fisher a son of John L. 
Fisher and wife Elizabeth nee, Klopp, was 
born December 8, 1876, at Wintersville, 
Berks Co. 

In early youth he attended the public 
schools of Marion Twp., then he went to 
Grammar School at Myerstown 1889-91. 
Afterwards from 1891-1894, to Palatinate, 
now Albright College, Myerstown. Entered 
Muhlenberg College fall of 1894 and gradu- 
ted 1897. Same year he entered Lutheran 
Theological Seminary at Mt. Airy and 
graduated 1900. Was ordained by the 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania the same year 
at Phila. 

He at once became pastor of the Jones¬ 
town parish in Lebanon Co., and served it 
until 1906, when he was called to East Pike- 
land parish, Chester Co., where he served 
until 1910. Then being called to Wyomiss- 
ing—he was pastor of Blandon, Wyomissing 
field until 1913. Thence he was called to 
the Shoemakersville parish of which he has 
had charge since 1913. 

Sept. 3, 1901, he married Rose G. Pfaun- 
kuch, Lebanon, who died Jub r 17, 1911. 
Married on Nov. 25, 1915, Tillie Lesher, 
(nee Fisher) of Philadelphia. 


402 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. W. A. FLUCK 

William Albert Fluck a son of Rev. J. F. 
C. Fluck and Elizabeth K. nee Schmitt was 
born at Philadelphia Pa. on December 17th. 
1888. After his preliminary training in 
the common schools he attended Temple 
University in 1907 to 1908. He graduated 
from the Philadelphia Seminary in 1911 
and was ordained by the New York and 
New England Synod in the same year. He 
was pastor of Holy Trinity, East Orange, 
N. J. for two years and then accepted a 
call to the Tinicum Parish where he re¬ 
mained until January 1st. 1922 when he 
became pastor of St. Luke’s Reading. 

In 1916 he married Carrie Sigafoos. Two 
sons and a daughter have been born. 



REV. J. FRY, D. D., L. H. D., LL. D. 

Jacob Fry a son of Jacob Fry and Mary 
(Gross) was born at Trappe, Pa. Feb. 9, 
1834. He graduated at Union College in 
1851 and at Gettysburg Seminary in 1853. 
He was ordained by the Ministerium of 
Pennsylvania in 1853 and served the follow¬ 
ing congregations—First English Church, 
Carlisle, Pa., 1854-65; Trinity Reading, Pa., 
1865-96; Church of the Ascension, Mt. Airy, 
Pa., 1896-1920. He was elected Professor 
of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology at the 
Philadelphia Seminary in 1891 and occupied 
this position until his death. In 1855 he 
married Eliza J. Wattles of Gettysburg. 
They had two sons and seven daughters. 
Dr. Fry was Secretary and Treasurer of 
the Ministerium of Pennsylvania and later 
its President as well as its Senior in the 
last years of his life. He died at Phila¬ 
delphia Feb. 19, 1920 eighty six years of 
age having met his appointments as Profes- 
for and Preacher to the very end. His gifts 
as a Preacher were universally recognized. 
During the sixty-seven years of his active 
ministry he was a regular contributor to 
Church periodicals and the author of a 
number of books. 



403 














LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



REV. Z. H. GABLE 

Zenas Henry Gable a son of Daniel and 
Elizabeth Gable was born at Cherryville, 
Pa., on Aug. 13, 1842. In 1860 he entered 
the Preparatory Department of Gettysburg 
College, graduating from the College in 
1865. He then entered the Philadelphia 
Seminary, graduating in 1868. In June 
of the same year he was ordained by the 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania. He was the 
Pastor at Scenery Hill, Pa. 1868-73, Birds- 
boro Parish 1873-1909. On Dec. 24, 1868 he 
married Thusie Vogelbach. He died at 
Reading, Pa. on Dec. 15, 1909. He is sur¬ 
vived by two sons in the Ministry, a son in 
the Medical Profession and two daughters. 



REV. D. G. GERBERICH 

David Gerhart Gerberich a son of George 
S. Gerberich and Sarah (Gerhart) was born 
in Lebanon Co., East Hanover Twp., on 
March 1, 1863. He was a student at the 
Normal School at Kutztown and afterwards 
taught school two years. He prepared for 
College in the Muhlenberg Academy and 
graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1888. 
After the usual three years course at the 
Philadelphia Seminary, he graduated in 
1891. He was ordained by the Ministerium 
of Pennsylvania on May 26, 1891. He im¬ 
mediately became the pastor of the Weather¬ 
ly parish ana continued to serve it until 
1901 when he accepted a call to the Center- 
port parish which he served until 1912. 
The same year (1912) he accepted a call to 
Prospect, Pa., where he served Emmanuel’s 
Church until 1917. Since then he was 
Pastor of Wolf’s Cross Roads Pa., Parish 
1917-1919; McClure, Pa., parish since 1919. 
On Sept. 20, 1887 he married Eliza J. Knap- 
penberger. 


404 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. L. GROH, D.D. 

Leonard Groh a son of Abraham Groh 
and Sarah Strieker was born near Schaef- 
ferstown, Lebanon Co., Pa. on Aug-. 18, 
1835. He entered the Preparatory Depart¬ 
ment of Pennsylvania College at Gettys¬ 
burg in 1856 graduating from the College 
in 1861. He entered the Seminary at Get¬ 
tysburg in the fall of the same year and 
was ordained by the Ministerium of Penna. 
on June 3, 1863. He was pastor at Quaker- 
town, Pa., 1863-65; He moved to Hanover 
Montgomery Co., in 1865 and had charge of 
that congregation with Boyertown until 

1881 when he moved to Boyertown and 
served St. John’s alone until 1891. He 

then moved to Lincoln, Neb., where he 
served as Pastor until 1895, afterward serv¬ 
ing St. Mark’s Omaha, Neb. April 4, 1870 
he married Martha Hicks who died in 1878. 
In 1880 he married her sister Hettie Hicks. 
Three children were born to the first union. 
He died at Omaha Neb., on Oct. 24, 1919. 



REV. S. L. HARKEY, D.D. 

Sidney Levi Harkey a son of John and 
Sarah Harkey was born in Iredell Co., 
North Carolina, on April 3, 1827. When he 
was but a boy his parents moved to Illinois 
where he received his Preparatory education 
in the Hillsboro Academy. He spent (1844- 
47) at Pennsylvania College. He studied 
theology under his brother Simeon W. Har¬ 
key. He was licensed at Cumberland, Md., 
in 1848; Newville Cumberland Co., Pa., 
1849-52; Peoria and Pekin Ill., 1852-54 
Mendon, Ill., 1854-59; Decatur, Ill., 1859; 
Shelbyville 1860-62; Nocomis and Audubon 
1862-i865; Vandalia 1865-68; Chicago 1870- 
71, Dayton, Ohio, 1871-72, Indianapolis 
1872-73, Mt. Pleasant, Pa., 1873-83, Toledo, 
Ohio 1883-87, Melrose, Fla., 1887-88; North 
Lima, Ohio, 1888-91; Trinity, Kutztown 
1891-1901. On May 16, 1848 he married 
Mary Jenkins of Gettysburg who died 
about 1868. About 1872 he married Susie 
Freeman of Cincinnati, Ohio. He died at 
Kutztown Sept. 23, 1901. 



405 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. J. C. HARTWIG 

John Christopher Hartwig was born in 
Germany in 1714. He came to America 
in 1746, having been ordained as a mis¬ 
sionary to serve the Palatines in New York. 
He was pastor of Trinity Reading 1757 to 
1758. His ministerial labors covered many 
states reaching from Maine to Virginia. 

• He was the founder of the first Lutheran 
Theological Seminary in America named 
after him and located in a town in New 
York also named after him. He was never 
married. His estate consisting of large 
tracts bought from the Indians was be¬ 
queathed to the seminary with special in¬ 
structions to train missionaries for work 
among the heathen. He died in 1796. 



REV. R. J. HECKMAN 

Raymond Jeremiah Heckman a son of 
Elias and Lenora Heckman was born at 
Hamburg, Pa., on November 5th, 1892. 
After the usual preliminary training in 
the public schools he entered Muhlenberg 
College from which he graduated in 1917. 
He graduated from the Philadelphia Sem¬ 
inary in 1920 and was ordained on June 
3rd, 1920, by the Ministerium of Pennsyl¬ 
vania in St. John’s Church Wilkesbarre, 
Pa. He at once entered his new field of 
labor in Reading, as pastor of Faith and 
Peace Churches which he is still serving. 

In 1920 he married Grace Staudt. 


406 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS 


COUNTY 


REV. C. G. HEFFNER 

Charles Gaby Heffner a son of Isaac R. 
Heffner and Emma A. (Gaby) was born 
in Richmond Township, Berks Co., Febru¬ 
ary 4, 1880. His younger days were spent 
on the farm, and he attended the public 
schools of his district. Afterwards he pur¬ 
sued further studies at the Keystone State 
Normal School at Kutztown, from 1893 to 
1898. In the fall of 1902, he entered Muh¬ 
lenberg College as a sophomore, and grad¬ 
uated in 1905. In the fall of the same 
year he entered the Lutheran Theological 
Seminary, at Mt. Airy and graduated from 
that institution in 1908. 

He was ordained by the Ministerium of 
Penna., June 15, 1908, having accepted a 
call to the Washingtonville parish, consist¬ 
ing of the two congregations, Washington¬ 
ville and Trinity, Liberty Township, Mon¬ 
tour Co. He served that field from June 
21st of that year until July 1st, 1910. He 
then accepted a call to the R,obeson parish, 
Trinity, Gouglersville; Alegheney and Plow, 
taking up his residence at Mohnton. He 
then supplied St. John’s. Mohnton, tempor¬ 
arily by arrangement with Conference until 
it was made the centre of the recently con¬ 
structed Mohnton Parish which he now 
serves. 

May 3, 1910, he married Bernice J. Cour- 
son, Washingtonville, Pa. 

He has one son. 



REV. U. P. HEILMAN 
Uriah Peter Heiiman a son of John Heil¬ 
man and Mary (Gooa; was born in White¬ 
hall Twp., Lehigh Co., Pa., Dec. 5, 1849. 
He was a student at the Normal School at 
Millersville for a short time and then 
taught school in his home district for sev¬ 
eral terms. He graduated from the Normal 
School at Kutztown in 1872. After having 
taken a two years course in scientific studies 
he was chosen Professor of Philosophy 
which he taught until 1875. He had charge 
of a Parochial School in Philadelphia for 
three years and then entered the Philadel¬ 
phia Seminary graduating in 1881. He was 
ordained by the Ministerium of Pennsyl¬ 
vania in the latter year and took charge of 
the Amityville Parish immediately on his 
Ordination. He served here until 1896 when 
he was called to be the first Superintendent 
of the newly organized Orphans’ Home at 
Topton, Pa. After serving faithfully for 
tut three years he died on April 10, 1900. 
In 1883 he married Elacesta Elizabeth 
Moyer. A son and two daughters were 
born. A monument to his memory has 
been erected on the grounds at the home. 



407 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



REV. J. 0. HENRY 

Jonas Oscar Henry a son of Daniel K. 
Henry and Sarah (nee Wagaman) was 
born at Stines Corner, Pa., March 4, 1874. 
He received his preparatory training in 
the public schools and under private teach¬ 
ers. He taught school for three years. He 
then entered Muhlenberg College, gradua¬ 
ting in 1899. After the usual course at 
the Philadelphia Seminary be graduated in , 
1902, receiving ordination from the Minis- 
terium of Penna. in the same year. He 
immediately became the pastor of the Top- 
ton parish which he served until 1909 when 
h? became the superintendent of the Topton 
Orphans’ Home, which position he now fills. 
In 1903 he married Ida L. Sefing of Allen¬ 
town, Pa. They have three sons. 



REV. H. E. HERMAN 
Harry Edward Herman a son of Harry 
T. and Minnie U. (Lyter) Herman was 
born at Elizabethville, Pa. on October 21st 
1892. He was a student at Muhlenberg 
College from 1915 to 1918 and then became 
a sub-junior at the Philadelphia Seminary 
from which he graduated in 1922, being at 
once ordained by the Ministerium of Penn¬ 
sylvania. Shortly afterwards he took 
charge of the Redeemer Church, Reading, 
which he is now serving. In 1922 he mar¬ 
ried Elizabeth Witmer. 


408 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS 


COUNTY 


REV. G. A. HINTERLEITNER, D.D. 

Gustav Adolph Hinterleitner was born 
October 2, 1824, in Weissenberg, Bavaria. 
He obtained his classical and theological 
training in Germany. In 1849, having re¬ 
cently arrived in America, he was employed 
by Rev. Wm. P. Kaemerer, Richlandtown, 
Bucks county, as his assistant. 

He applied for admission to Synod 1851, 
and was licensed at Allentown in June. 
April 7, 1851, he was ordained in Trinity, 
Reading. In January, 1852, he took charge 
of the congregation at Kutztown. In Oc¬ 
tober he added Friedensburg, Lobachsville 
and Oley. Prior to this he had already 
taken charge of New Jerusalem, or Dunkel’s 
church. A few years afterwards, 1855, he 
added Pricetown, making six congregations. 

The two struggling German churches at 
Pottsville agreed to unite into one, and 
called him as the pastor, 1866. He remain¬ 
ed their sole pastor until 1890. It having 
now become evident that provision must-be 
made for English preaching, Rev. J. H. 
Umbenhen was called as his assistant. 
About 1895 he was partiallv disabled by a 
paralytic stroke. He was then made Pastor 
Emeritus. March 13, 1901, he died. 

He was the father of 13 children, eight 
of whom survived him—four sons and four 
daughters. 



REV. M. C. HORINE, D. D. 

Mahlon Carleton Horine a son of John 
and Catharine Horine was born at Myers- 
ville, Md., on July 14, 1838. In 1855 he 
entered the Academy at Gettysburg and 
graduated from the College in 1861. He 
completed his seminary course in 1864 and 
was ordained in 1865. He served Smith- 
burg, Md., 1865-69; Dayton, Ohio, 1869-70; 
Zanesville, Ohio 1870-73, Trinity, Danville, 
Pa., 1873-81, St. James Reading 1881-1909; 
Trinity, Manoa 1913-1917. He held many 
positions of honor including that of the 
President of the Ministerium of Pennsyl¬ 
vania 1904-07. On May 16, 1865 he married 
Emma F. Winebrenner. Two sons, one in 
the Ministry and a daughter survived him 
at the time of his death which occurred on 

May 16, 1917. 



409 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. E. T. HORN, D. D., LL. D. 



Edward Trail Horn a son of Melchior H. 
Horn and Matilda L. (Heller) was born 
at Easton, Pa., on June 10, 1850. He grad¬ 
uated at Gettysburg College in 1869 and 
from the Philadelphia Seminary in 1872, 
receiving ordination the same year from the 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania. He was 
Pastor of Christ Church, Chestnut Hill, 
Philadelphia, 1872-76; St. John’s, Charles¬ 
ton, S. C., 1876-97; Trinity, Reading, Pa., 
1897-1911. In 1911 he was elected Professor 
of Ethics and Missions at the Philadelphia 
Seminary. Besides prominent service ren¬ 
dered in various activities of the Church 
he was also President of the Ministerium 
of Pennsylvania 1909-13. On June 15, 1880 
he married Harriet Chisolm of Charleston, 
S. C. Three daughters and four sons were 
born to this union of which one son serves 
the Church as a College Professor, another 
son as a Home Missionary and a third son 
as a Foreign Missionary in Japan. He died 
at Philadelphia on March 4, 1915. 



REV. R. W. HUFFORD, D.D. 

Rufus Ward Hufford a son of Thomas 
Hufford and Jane Norris was born in Ohio. 
His early education was received in the 
Common Schools and at Vermillion Insti¬ 
tute, a Preparatory School at Hayesville, 
Ohio. He graduated from Wittenberg Col¬ 
lege in 1873 and from the Seminary in 
1876. He was ordained by the East Penna. 
Synod in Sept. 1876. He was Pastor of St. 
John’s, Easton, for twelve years and of St. 
Matthew’s, Reading, from 1893 to 1901. He 
was also Pastor at Millersville, Atchinson, 
Kansas and the Shillington-Oakbrook par¬ 
ish, from which he retired some years ago. 
He married Miss Bomgardner of Lancaster 
Pa. 


410 

















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. D. K. HUMBERT 

David Keidling Humbert, a son of Jacob 
and Elizabeth (Keidling) Humbert was 
born in Greenwich Twp., on March 11, 1835. 
He spent his early years on a farm, behind 
the counter, in a tannery and as a school 
teacher. He attended Freeland Seminary 
(Ursinus College) for three years. He 
served as a Sgt. during the Civil War, after 
which he went to the Philadelphia Seminary 
graduating in 1867 and receiving ordina¬ 
tion from the Ministerium of Pennsylvania 
in the same year. He immediately took 
charge of the Geigertown parish, serving 
until 1872 when he accepted the call of the 
Bowers parish, which he served until 1903 
and again from 1904 to 1912. In 1867 he 
married Maria DeLong. Three daughters 
were born to this union. He died at Bowers 
on Sept. 21, 1913. 



REV. J. I. HUMMER 


John Ilgen Burrell Hummer, a son of 
Samuel Hummer and Lydia, nee Florey, was 
born in Northampton Co. on February 2, 
1872. He prepared for college at Lerch’s 
Preparatory School at Easton and at Sus¬ 
quehanna University at Selinsgrove. He en¬ 
tered Gettysburg College in 1896 and grad¬ 
uated in 1900. He then entered the Gettys¬ 
burg Seminary and graduated in 1903. He 
was ordained in the same year by the East 
Pennsylvania Synod. He served the follow¬ 
ing parishes: Tannersville, Monroe Co., 1903 
to 1906 and again 1811-1914; Glen Gardner, 
N. J., 1906-1909; Oberlin, Pa., 1909-1911; 
Seven Valley, Pa., 1914-1917; Mt. Carmel, 
Pa., 1917-1919; Manchester, Pa., 1919-1923; 
Lyons, 1923—. 

In 1904 he married Alta Neyhart of Mon¬ 
roe County. They have a son. 



411 










LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



REV. F. K. HUNTZINGER, D. D. 

Franklin Krick Huntzinger a son of 
Jared Huntzinger and Leah (Krick) was 
born in West Cocalico Twp., Lancaster Co., 
Pa., on June 18, 1844. He attended public 
school and also received private instruction 
before entering the Seminary at Philadel¬ 
phia in 1866, from which he graduated in 
1869. He was ordained by the Ministerium 
of Pennsylvania in 1869 and at once took 
charge of St. Luke’s, Reading, then a mis¬ 
sion of Trinity. This was his only parish 
but in connection with it, he also served 
Kissingers’ 1869-81; Lenhartsville 1870-76; 
St. Paul’s Windsor Castle 1870-76, Alsace 
1873-97, St. Peter's Beckers 1874-1904. He 
was President of the Board of Trustees of 
the Topton Orphans’ Home from the time 
of its establishment until his death. On 
Sept. 16, 1869 he married Mary M. Has- 
singer. On account of failing health he 
resigned and was elected Pastor Emeritus 
less than a month before his death on 
May 2, 1921. 


REV. G. F. J. IAEGER 



Gottlieb F. J. Iaeger was born in Wuer- 
tenberg, Germany July 20, 1796. He came 
to America in 1817. He taught school for 
several years while he also completed his 
theological studies and was licensed by the 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania in 1819, re¬ 
ceiving Ordination in 1825. He lived in the 
neighborhood of Klinesville and during a 
pastorate in this community for fifty five 
years he served the following congregations 
—Friedens Wesnersville 54 years, St. 
Paul’s near Hamburg 44 years, New Bethel 
Grimsville and New Bethel Corner each 43 
years; Crollen 35 years, Jacksonville 31 
years, New Jerusalem Dunkels 51 years, St. 
John’s Hamburg 30 years, Lenhartsville 13 
years, Maxatawny 9 years, New Tripoli and 
St. Peter’s 8 years each; Trinity, Pottsville; 
Christ McKeensburg and Hinnerschitz each 
one year. On March 14, 1820 he married 
Mary Audenreid of Kutztown. Eleven 
children were born one of them a pastor in 
Berks county for a number of years. He 
died on November 16, 1879. 


412 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. T. T. IAEGER 


Thomas Theophilus Iaeger, a son of Rev. 
G. F. J. Iaeger and Mary J. (Audenreid) 
was born Aug. 29, 1826 in Greenwich Twp. 
He studied theology under Dr. Richards of 
Easton and was licensed as a Minister in 
1847. He was ordained at Pottsville in 
1850. During the first few years of his 
Ministry he served the Union Church at 
Rehrersburg and the Allegheney and Robe¬ 
son Churches besides assisting his father. 
During this time he resided at Womelsdorf. 
He then took charge of the Brickerville 
parish but returned to Womelsdorf in 1852, 
where he served various churches until 
1865. On account of ill health his activities 
ceased until 1869 when he took charge of 
Oley, Bern, Shalters, Friedensburg, Zion 
Perry Twp., Hamburg as a supply and 
Kissingers. Some of these congregations he 
served for only a brief period. At one 
time or another of his ministry he was the 
pastor or regular supply of not less than 
twenty four congregations in western and 
central portions of Berks county. On Dec. 
4, 1849 he married Mary Palsgrove of Mer- 
cersburg. They had ten children, seven of 
whom died in infancv. He died May 13. 
1888. 



REV. C. E. KEISER, Ph.D. 

Clarence Elwood Keiser a son of W illiam 
H. and Fianna (Carl) Keiser was born at 
Lyons, Pa., Oct. 12, 1884. After an early 
and thorough training in public and pri¬ 
vate schools and in the Normal School at 
Kutztown, Pa. he entered Muhlenberg Col¬ 
lege in 1903 graduating in 1905. He grad¬ 
uated from the Philadelphia Seminary in 
1908 and became the pastor of the church 
at Millersville, Pa., immediately after his 
ordination by the Ministerium of Pa._ at 
St. John’s, Allentown, Pa., on June 15th, 
1908. In 1909 he resigned to enable him 
to continue his studies. He has done grad¬ 
uate work in the University of Pa. 1909- 

1910, Yale 1910-1912, University of Leipzig, 

1911. He was supply pastor in Connecticut; 
curator at Yale 1912-1914, instructor in 
Smith College 1914-1915, lecturer at Yale 
1919-1920. He is a member of the New 
York Ministerium but spends most of his 
time at Lyons, Berks county, Pa. In 1914 
he married Eva M. Heilman of Allentown, 
Pa. 



413 








LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. F. A. M. KELLER 



Muhlenberg Keller was a son of Rev. 
Benjamin Keller and wife, Catharine 
Eliza. He was born April 28, 1819, at 
Carlisle, where his father was pastor at 
the time. He entered the preparatory de¬ 
partment of Pennsylvania College in 1833, 
from Germantown, while his father was 
pastor there. He graduated in 1838 and 
then pursued his theological studies at the 
Seminary at Gettysburg. July 5, 1843, he 
was licensed by the Ministerium at Ger¬ 
mantown, and June 5, 1844, he was ordained 
at Pottstown. 

In the reports to Synod he is called the 
English pastor of Trinity by Dr. Miller 
up to the time of his (Dr. Miller’s) death, 
May 16, 1850. In the minutes for that 
year Rev. Keller appears as the pastor of 
Trinity, Reading, Sinking Spring, Alsace, 
Schwarzwald and Spiess, the congregations 
which had up to this time belonged to Dr. 
Miller. He then became the founder of 
St. James/ 1850, and continued to serve 
it until his death. He also was the pastor 
of Emanuel’s at Hamburg, which no longer 
exists. He also took charge of a number 
of other country churches, besides Sinking 
Spring, which he continued to serve, viz., 
the Plow, St. James, Geigertown, Kissinger’s 
etc. 

During the threatened invasion of Penn¬ 
sylvania by General Lee in 1862, he enlisted 
in the state service. The exposure was 
too much for him as he was not very robust. 
In 1863 he was elected treasurer of Synod, 
but died before he had held the office for 
a full year, in March, 1864. 

In 1848 he married Susan Hunter, who 
soon died, leaving him a widower. 


REV. R. E. KERN 

Rufus Erb Kern the son of Milton M. 
and Annie H. (Erb) Kern was born at 
Red Hill Pa. Nov. 22, 1886. He graduated 
from Muhlenberg College in 1909 and from 
the Philadelphia Seminary in 1912 being 
ordained by the Ministerium at Bethlehem 
in the same year. He was pastor at Marion 
Va. from 1912 to 1914, Trenton, N. J., 1914- 
1916, Keller’s Church, Bucks Co. 1916-1922 
and since then at Hamburg. He was in¬ 
structor in Marion College 1912-1914. He 
married Florence May Haring in 1912. 



414 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. H. S. KIDD 

Harvey Samuel Kidd a son of John Kidd 
and Anna Margaret, nee, Eberts, was born 
at Bath, Northampton County, Pa., on 
April 28, 1884, and was brought up on the 
farm. Having attended the public schools 
until 1900 at Bath, he then entered the 
Academic Department of Muhlenberg Col¬ 
lege. In 1901 he entered College and grad¬ 
uated in 1905. In the fall of the latter year 
he entered the Theological Seminary and 
graduated from the same in 1908. June 15th 
of that year he was ordained by our Minis- 
terium at St. John’s, Allentown. Having 
accepted their call he at once entered upon 
his duty as pastor of the Plainfield parish 
in the Allentown Conference. In 1912 he 
was called to be the Field Secretary 
to raise $500,000.00 for Muhlenberg 
College and the Philadelphia Seminary. He 
continued in this work until in July 1914 
when he took charge .of the Womelsdorf 
parish, which he is now serving. 

June 30, 1908, he married Anna Flor¬ 
ence Kramer, Williamstown, Pa. 

He is the father of a son and three 
daughters. 



# 


REV. PH. KIRCHNER 

Philipp Kirchner a son of Wilhelm and 
Karolina (Lackmann) Kirchner was born 
in Otterberg, Rheinpfalz, Germany on Jan. 
24, 1876. He came to this country in 1892 
graduating from Wagner College in 1897 
and from the Philadelphia Seminary in 
1900. He then did graduate work in the 
universities of Leipzig, Heidelberg and 
Berlin. In 1902 he was ordained b~ the 
Ministerium of Pa. He at once entered his 
work as Associate Pastor of St. Johannes 
under Dr. Kuendig. In 1917 he became the 
regular pastor in which capacity he is now 
serving. 

He married Wilhemina Kirchner in 1904. 



415 








LUTHERANS 


IN BERKS COUNTY 



REV. C. E. KISTLER 

Charles Edward Kistler a son of William 
S. Kistler and Maria Grim was born in 
Kistler’s Valley, Berks County, Aug. 23, 
1870. He received his preliminary educa¬ 
tion in the public schools and under pri¬ 
vate instruction, preparing him to enter 
Muhlenberg College in 1891. Previous to 
this time he taught school for three terms. 
He graduated from Muhlenberg College 
with the class of 1895. He entered the 
Philadelphia Seminary in the same year, 
graduating in 1898, in which year he was 
also ordained by the Ministerium of Penn¬ 
sylvania. He immediately accepted a call 
to the Alsace Church which he has served 
since his ordination. He married Effie E. 
Fisher. 


REV. I. W. KLICK 



Ira Werner Klick, a son of Jonathan 
Klick, Sr., and Sarah Ann, nee, Werner, 
was born in East Hanover Twp., Lebanon 
Co., Dec. 9, 1868. During his childhood he 
worked on his father’s farm, meanwhile 
attending the public schools of the district. 
He then spent some time in teaching public 
school. In 1891 he attended the Keystone 
State Normal School and graduated from 
that institution. He also attended Palatin¬ 
ate College at Myerstown for a time. In 
1894 he entered Muhlenberg College grad¬ 
uating in 1897. In the fall he entered Mt. 
Airy Theological Seminary and graduated 
1900. He was ordained by the Ministerium 
of Penna., June 6th of the same year. 

He at once entered upon his duty as 
pastor of St. Stephen’s Church, Allentown, 
where he remained until 1910, when he 
received and accepted a call to Zion, Mari¬ 
etta, Lane. Co. He served this congrega¬ 
tion until 1914, when he took charge of 
the Strausstown parish. 

May 11, 1911, he married Henrietta S. 
Coover, Myerstown. 

He has two sons. 


416 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. H. C. KLINE 

Harry Charles Kline a son of Christian 
S. Kline and Amanda J. (Koch) was born 
in Philadelphia on May 27, 1868. He 
graduated from Muhlenberg College in 
1894, and from the Philadelphia Seminary 
in 1897. He was ordained by the Minis- 
terium of Pa. in Trinity Church Lancaster 
on June 18, 1897 and immediately began 
his pastorate in the Hamburg parish then 
consisting of four congregations. In 1910 
he accepted a call to Salem, Bethlehem, Pa. 
and served there until 1920 when he accep¬ 
ted a call to the Church of the Reforma¬ 
tion in Brooklyn N. Y. where he is now 
serving. In 1897 he married Gertrude 
Lillian Leh of Allentown, Pa. 



REV. J. J. KLINE, Ph. D. 


John Jacob Kline a son of Jacob E. and 
Catherine (Zartman) Kline was born at 
Rehrersburg, Pa. September 17, 1856. He 
received his preparatory training at Pala¬ 
tinate College (Albright) Myerstown from 
1876-80. He then entered Muhlenberg Col¬ 
lege graduating in 1883. After the usual 
course at the Philadelphia Seminary he 
graduated in 1886. He took graduate work 
at the University of Pennsylvania 1891-95. 
In 1886 he was ordained by the Ministerium 
of Pennsylvania. He took charge of New 
Hanover, Montgomery Co. and Christ 
Church at Niantic also organizing Trinity 
Bechtelsville, Berks Co. in 1888 and Grace, 
Pottstown in 1896. He ceased to serve 
Niantic in 1905 and Bechtelsville in 1916 
while he continues to serve the other two. 
He married Georgie R. Brendlino-er of New 
Hanover in 1888. She died in 1913. In 
1917 he married Minnie E. Woelfly of 
Jonestown. He has a daughter. 



417 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



REV. W. H. KLINE 

William Herbert Kline a son of Wm. F. 
Kline and Mary A.,nee, Grim, was born in 
Maxatawny Township May 27, 1883. Dur¬ 
ing his boyhood he attended the public 
schools of the district, known as Grim’s 
Independent School District. He then at¬ 
tended the Keystone State Normal School 
and graduated from the same in 1900. He 
entered Muhlenberg College, graduating in 
1905. In the fall of that year he entered 
the Philadelphia Seminary and graduated 
in 1908. June 15th of the same year he 
was ordained by the Ministerium in St. 
John’s Allentown. Having accepted a call 
to Red Bank, within the bounds of the 
Pittsburg Synod, he at once took charge of 
that field. After serving it a short time, 
he received a call to the Topton parish 
which he accepted and is still serving. 

November 16, 1909, he married Miss 
Laura Edith Diener. 

He has a son and a daughter. 



REV. B. E. KRAMLICH 

Benjamin Elias Kramlich a son of Christ¬ 
ian Kramlich and Catharine (Kocher) was 
born in Weisenberg Twp. Lehigh Co. Oct. 
7, 1841. His early training was secured in 
the public schools and in a private academy 
at Easton Pa. He then clerked for several 
years and in 1851 entered the Preparatory 
Department of Gettysburg College gradua¬ 
ting from the college in 1856. After two 
years at the Gettysburg Seminary he was 
licensed by the West Pennsylvania Synod 
in 1858. He was admitted into the Minis¬ 
terium of Pennsylvania and ordained in 
1859. He first took charge of Trexlertown, 
Maxatawny, Moselem, Fleetwood, Rockland, 
Hereford, and Mertztown. During his 
ministry he ceased serving Moselem and 
Hereford adding St. Peter’s Topton which 
he had organized. He served this charge 
until his death. He was closely identified 
with the Normal School at Kutztown from 
its beginning and its President during the 
last 23 years of his life. In 1863 he mar¬ 
ried Sophie B. Bieber. He died January 1, 
1900. Three sons, two of them in the 
ministry and one a teacher also two daugh¬ 
ters survived. 


418 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. W. W. KRAMLICH 

William Wilberforce Kramlich a son of 
Rev. B. E. Kramlich and Sophie B. fBieber) 
was born at Kutztown January 22, 1860. 
He received his preparatory training in his 
native place principally in the Normal 
School with a year at Chambersburg then 
entering Muhlenberg College in 1883 grad¬ 
uating in 1887. He took the usual course 
in the Philadelphia Seminary graduating 
in 1891. He was ordained by the Minis- 
terium of Pennsylvania in 1891 and for 
the first year assisted his father. In 1892 
he took charge of the Womelsdorf parish 
where he served until 1901. He also served 
New Ringgold 1907-12, Freemansburg, 
1912-14, W^eissport 1915-17, Noxen 1918-20, 
Herndon parish since 1920. He married 
Ida Ahrens in 1894. He has a daughter. 



REV. G. S. KRESSLEY, Litt.D. 

George Smith Kressley a son of Percival 
N. Kressley and Martha R. (Smith) was 
born at Maxatawny Pa. February 8, 1877. 
He received his preparatory training at the 
Normal School at Kutztown and entered 
Muhlenberg College graduating in 1898. 
He completed his three year course at the 
Philadelphia Seminary in 1901 and was or¬ 
dained by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania 
in the same year. He at once became 
Professor of Languages at the Normal 
School at Kutztown which position he held 
until 1917. Since then he has charge of 
the Foreign Language Department of the 
schools of Allentown, Pa. In 1910 he did 
graduate work in Goettingen University. 
In 1902 he married Anna R. Fretz. He has 
a daughter. 





419 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



REV. J. J. KUENDIG, D.D. 

John Jacob Kuendig a son of John Kuen¬ 
dig and Elizabeth (Hauser) was born in 
Zurich, Switzerland on December 6, 1830. 
He was educated in the best schools of his 
country. He graduated from the Mission 

Institute at Basel in 1858 having planned 
to go to the Mission field. Plans were 

changed and he came to America in 1858 
entering the Gettysburg Seminary and by 
permission serving the German interests of 
Trinity Reading. He was ordained in 1860. 
He at once settled at Reading still serving 
the German portion of Trinity which now 
peaceably withdrew and established St. 
John’s of which he became the pastor. Dur¬ 
ing the earlier period of his ministry he 
also served several country churches. He 
married Emma S. Shalters in 1860. He 
was the pastor of St. John’s until his death 
on June 17, 1917. 


REV. E. E. LANDIS 



Elbert Ephraim Landis a son of Wm. 
Rosenberger Landis and wife Ella Amanda, 
nee Campbell, was born in Bucks Co., 
October 26, 1886. He attended the public 
schools of his district until 1903. He then 
went to Perkiomen Seminary and graduated 
with the class of 1906. 

From that institution he went to Muh¬ 
lenberg College, graduating in 1910. In 
the fall of that year he entered the Luth¬ 
eran Theological Seminary at Mt. Airy and 
completed his course in May, 1913. Shortly 
afterwards he was ordained by the Ev. 
Lutheran Ministerium of Penna. at Phila¬ 
delphia. 

Having accepted a call from the Rohrers- 
town and Chestnut Hill parish in Lancas¬ 
ter County, he served it until the close of 
1914, when he received and accepted a call 
to the Leesport parish, which he is now 
serving. 

May 22, 1913, he married Henrietta Kern 
Moyer . 

He has two sons and three daughters. 


420 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. H. K. LANTZ 

Henry K. Lantz a son of ex-senator 
Cyrus R. Lantz and Mary Ann nee Kauff¬ 
man was born at Lebanon Pa. February 
19, 1874. He received his earl^ education 
in the public schools of Lebanon after 
which he entered Muhlenberg graduating 
in 1897. He took his theological course in 
the Lutheran Seminary at Chicago grad¬ 
uating in 1901 after which he was ordained 
by the Chicago Synod. He accepted the 
call to the pastorate of St. Paul’s Church 
Frankfort, Ind. Later on he became the 
pastor of St. John’s Church, Shiremans- 
town where he remained for 20 years. In 
1922 he accepted the call of St. James’ 
Church Reading of which he is now the 
pastor. He married Gertrude Elizabeth 
Weaber of Allentown. He has two sons. 



REV. W. O. LAUB 


William Oscar Laub a son of Lewis F. 
and Ellen Kurtz Laub, was born at Krei- 
dersville, Pa., October 22, 1871. After 
attending the public schools of the vicinity 
during his boyhood days, he spent two 
years 1888-89, in the Academic Department 
of Muhlenberg. In the fall of the latter 
year, he entered the College proper and 
graduated in 1893. In the fall of that year 
he entered the Theological Seminary at Mt. 
Airy and graduated in 1896. He was then 
ordained by the Ministerium and immediate¬ 
ly transferred to the Pittsburg Synod tak¬ 
ing charge of the Freeport parish, He re¬ 
mained here until called to the newly 
formed West Reading parish in 1904. He 
resigned Yocum’s Church on June 1, 1923. 

December 31, 1896 ,he married Miss Cora 
M. Tidabock. 

He has two sons and four daughters. 



421 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNT i 



REV. J. W. LAZARUS 

Jacob Wilson Lazarus a son of Rev. 
George M. Lazarus and Amanda C. (Dech) 
was born at Nazareth Pa. October 24, 1862. 
He prepared for college in the Muhlenberg 
Academy graduating from the college in 
1882. He graduated from the Philadelphia 
Seminary in 1885. He was ordained the 
same year by the Ministerium of Pennsyl¬ 
vania and was then the supply-pastor Trin¬ 
ity, Catasauqua, Trinity West Bethlehem 
and at Cherryville. In 1887 he accepted 
a call to the Mt. Bethel parish which he 
served until 1904. Since then he has been 
the pastor of the Sinking Spring, Werners- 
ville parish and regular supply at the Grand 
View Sanitarium. He married Gwennie M. 
Bytel in 1891. She died in 1902. He mar¬ 
ried Jeanette M. Blanck in 1909. He has 
a son. 



REV. O. O. LEIDICH 

Otis Orville Leidich a son of Peter M. 
Leidich and Eliza nee Raub was born in 
Williams Twp. Northampton Co. on March 
8, 1870. He attended the public schools 
of his native place and then prepared for 
college at the Riegelsville Academy and the 
Easton Academy. He graduated from the 
Gettysburg College in 1895 and from the 
Gettysburg Seminary in 1898 receiving or¬ 
dination from the East Pennsylvania Synod 
the same year. He served at Palmyra 1898- 
1900, Manheim, 1900-06; East Petersburg, 
1906-12; Landisville, 1912-14, Coatesville, 
1914-16; Lebanon (Seventh Street), 1916- 
20; Reading (Stony Creek-Glenside), 1920 
to date. In 1905 he married Fannie B. 
Minnich of Manheim. He has two sons 
and two daughters. 


422 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. A. J. LONG 

Achilles Johnson Long a son of Ephraim 
and Hannah Long, was born at Claussville, 
Lehigh Co. Pa. on October 2, 1847. He 
received his early training in part at Wash¬ 
ington Hall, Trappe in 1865, at Fort Ed¬ 
ward Institute, N. J. in 1866 and in Muh¬ 
lenberg Academy. He graduated from 
Muhlenberg College in 1871 and from the 
Philadelphia Seminary in 1874 and was 
ordained by the Ministerium of Pennsyl¬ 
vania in the same year. He immediately 
took charge of the Stouchsburg parish and 
served it until his death. On June 4, 1876 
he married Deborah J. Minnich. They 
have three daughters. He died at Stouchs¬ 
burg while still in the active service on 
September 13, 1908. 



REV. D. F. LONGACRE, B. D. 

David Fenstermacher Longacre a son 
of Jacob Hoppes Longacre and Irene De¬ 
borah (Fenstermacher) was born at Weiss- 
port, Carbon Co., Pa., on May 7, 1897. He 
graduated from the Slatington High School 
in 1914. Work was continued in the Aca¬ 
demic Department of Muhlenberg College, 
and the College from which he graduated 
in 1918. He served as Sgt. in U. S. Medical 
Corp until June 1919. Thereupon a course 
was taken in U. of Pa. and in fall of 1919 
entered Philadelphia Seminary from which 
he graduated in 1922. Ordained by the 
Ministerium at Philadelphia on June 8, 1922 
and immediately took up his work as pastor 
of the Stouchsburg parish which he is now 
serving. 

On June 17, 1922 he married Clara Beu¬ 
lah Andrews of Slatington, Pa. 



423 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. R. B. LYNCH 



Robert Benjamin Lynch a son of Thomas 
J. Lynch and Maria (Long) was born at 
Pennsburg, Pa. November 28, 1860. He 
attended the public schools and taught 
school for four terms then entering Muh¬ 
lenberg College where he graduated in 1885. 
Graduating from the Philadelphia Seminary 
in 1888 after taking the regular course he 
was ordained by theMinisterium of Penn¬ 
sylvania in June of the same year. He 
then took charge of the congregations at 
Dublin and Lower Tinicum where he served 
15 years until 1903. Since the latter year 
he has been the pastor of Trinity, Kutz- 
town and Moselem. He married Maggie 
U. Jones in 1889. She died in 1904. In 
1913 he married Anna S. Humbert ,daughter 
of Rev. D. K. Humbert. 

He has a son and two daughters by the 
first marriage. 

He is at present the President of the 
Reading Conference. 



REV. N. R. MELHORN, D.D. 

Nathan Raymond Melhorn a son of 
Michael S. Melhorn and wife Martha (Ahle- 
ield) was born at Ada, Ohio, Dec. 23, 1871. 
He is a farmer’s son. He attended the 
schools of the neighborhood until of suffi¬ 
cient age to begin his classical studies. He 
then entered the Northern University of 
Ohio. Having completed his course he 
graduated with honor. After that he taught 
school for two years. He was then offered 
a position on the staff of the University. 
This position he held for two years. In 
1894 he entered the Philadelphia Seminary 
graduating in 1897. He was ordained the 
same year by the Ministerium in Trinity 
Ch'W'vh. T a^aster. He at once took charge 
of the church of the Incarnation, Philadel¬ 
phia, then a mission. He served this congre¬ 
gation between sixteen and seventeen years. 

In the spring of 1914, he received and 
accepted a call from Trinity Church, Read¬ 
ing, which he served until 1918. He then 
returned as pastor to his former church 
and served until 1922 when he became the 
Editor of “The Lutheran.” 

He married Florence L. Richmond of 
Lima Ohio in 1901. 

He has three sons. 


424 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. G. F. MILLER 


George Frederic Miller a son of George 
Miller and wife Sarah, was born near 
Swamp church, Montgomery county, April 
27, 1824. 

He entered the University of Penna., and 
graduated from it in 1844. He then took 
a theological course at Princeton Seminary. 

He was licensed June 20, 1848, and or¬ 
dained May 29, 1850. He at once became 
the assistant of his uncle, Conrad, devoting 
his attention particularly to Pottstown and 
Amityville. In August he also took charge 
of the English interest at Pottstown. Dur¬ 
ing 1848 he became pastor of Christ, (Oley), 
and in 1849, of Friedensburg. In 1853 he 
gave up Oley and Friedensburg and ac¬ 
cepted a call from Limerick. In 1859 a 
separate English consrre&’ation was organ¬ 
ized at Pottstown. During this year the 
cornerstone of the Church of the Trans¬ 
figuration was laid. It was dedicated in 
1860. 


Rev. Miller now gave up the German 
congregation, but continued to serve the 
Engiih until 1868. He then gave up Potts¬ 
town, retaining Amityville and Limerick 
until 1872. 

From 1869-72, he was principal of the 
Hill School at Pottstown. In 1872 he be- 
^°me Professo/r of German at Muhlen¬ 
berg College and retained the position until 
1877. In 1878 he took charge of a mission 
field in New Jersey and served it until his 
death in 1884. 


REV. L. R. MILLER 

Lawrence Renninger Miller a son of 
Henry J. Miller and Leah Amanda, nee 
Renninger was born December 4, 1873, in 
Douglass Township, Montgomery County. 
He was brought up on the farm. He en¬ 
tered Perkiomen Seminary in the spring 
of 1899, graduating in 1900. 

In the fall of that year he entered Muh¬ 
lenberg College and graduated in 1904. 
He entered the Philadelphia Seminary and 
graduated in 1907. He was then ordained 
by the Ministerium in St. James’ Church, 
Reading at its annual convention. Having- 
accepted a call from the two congregations 
at Rohrerstown and Chestnut Hill, Lan¬ 
caster Co., he served that field until Dec. 
1912, when he was caned to the Centreport 
parish which he is now serving. 

In 1895 he married Ella Riegner. She 
died in 1919. In 1921 he married Mary 
Schlappig. By the first marriage he has 
two sons and three daughters and by the 
second marriage a son. 



425 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



REV. 0. D. MILLER 

Oscar Daniel Miller a son of Daniel H. 
Miller and Pauline fHerbster) was born 
at Lyon Valley, Pa. August 21, 1857. He 
prepared for college at the Northwestern 
University Watertown, Wis. 1874-75 enter¬ 
ing Muhlenberg College in 1877 and gradu¬ 
ating in 1881. He took the regular course 
in the Philadalphia Seminary graduating 
in 1884 and being ordained in the same 
year. He at once took charge of the Ham¬ 
burg parish which he served for 12 years 
until 1896. He then moved to Ohio where 
he served at Tuscarawas 1897-1901: Zelien- 
ople, Pa. 1901-1911. He was first married 
in 1884. Sometime after the death of his 
first wife he was again married in 1894. 
He died at Allentown January 11, 1911, 
A son and daughter were born. 



REV. W. H. MYERS 

William Henry Myers a son of Washing¬ 
ton Myers and Susan (Garman) was born 
at Fredericksburg, Pa. October 22, 1851. 
He learned the trade of tailoring and then 
pursued his studies at Palatinate College 
Myerstown before entering Muhlenberg 
College in 1871. He graduated from the 
College in 1873 and from the Philadelphia 
Seminary in 1876 receiving ordination the 
same year. He was pastor at North Wales 
for a short time and then accepted a call 
to become the Assistant Pastor at Trinity 
Reading where he was given charge of the 
special work for which he was called viz: 
that of organising a congregation in con¬ 
nection with the chapel which had been 
built on S. 11th St. Grace church organized 
by him in 1881 has been his only field of 
labor since 1878. In 1879 he married Mary 
R. Kutz. 


426 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. E. P. PFATTEICHER, D.D. 


Ernst Philip Pfatteicher a son of Rev. 
Philip Pfatteicher and Emma (Spaeth) 
was born at Easton Pa. July 28, 1874. He 
received his preparatory training at Trach’s 
Academy, Easton, the Real Schule, Esslin- 
gen, Wuertemburg Germany and the Eas¬ 
ton High School. He graduated at Lafay¬ 
ette College in 1895, Philadelphia Seminary 
1898 and was ordained June 6th. 1898 by 
the Ministerium of Penna. He at once be¬ 
came the assistant to Dr. Schmauk of Salem 
Church Lebanon, Pa. In 1901 he accepted 
a call to Trinity, Kutztown. In 1902 he 
went to Trinity, Norristown. From 1907 to 
1918 he was pastor of Holy Communion, 
Philadelphia. Since 1918 he is pastor of 
Trinity, Reading. He has done graduate 
work at Lafayette College, at the University 
of Erlangen, and at the University of Pa. 
In 1905 he married Helen Jacoby. He has 
a son and a daughter. 



REV. O. E. PFLUEGER 

Oscar Erwin Pflueger a son of James L. 
Pflueger and Elizabeth (Keim) was born 
at Schoenersville Northampton Co. on 
March 11, 1861. He was educated at Muh¬ 
lenberg College graduating in 1884 and 
then entered the Philadelphia Seminary 
from which he graduated in 1887. He was 
ordained the same year bv the Ministerium 
of Pennsylvania. He was pastor of the 
Beavertown Parish 1887-89, Lykens Valley 
parish, 1889-1902, Womelsdorf parish, 1902- 
1913. He married Elmira C. Leopold in 
1887. He died at Womelsdorf July 22, 1913. 
He was secretary of the Ministerium of 
Pennsylvania at the time of his death and 
for some time previous. 



427 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. J. H. RAKER, D. D. 

John Henry Raker a son of Conrad Hoff¬ 
man Raker and Susannah (Dornsife) was 
born at Raker Pa. on Jan. 1, 1863. After 
completing his public school education he 
taught for two years and prepared for 
college in the Academic Department of 
Muhlenberg College graduating from the 
College in 1889. He did some missionary 
work in the west and then completed his 
theological training at the Philadelphia 
Seminary graduating in 1892. He was 
ordained by the Ministerium of Pa. at 
Trinity Reading May 29, 1892. Pastor of 
St. John’s Pen Argyl 1892-1898, Trinity, 
^Lebanon 1898-1900, Superintendent, Topton 
Orphans’ Home 1900-1907, Grace, Allen¬ 
town 1907-1912, Founder and superinten¬ 
dent of Good Shepherd, Home Allentown, 
Pa. 1908 to present time. He married 
Estella Weiser in 1899. 

He has two sons and two daughters. 


REV. H. B. RITTER 

Horace Bean Ritter a son of Dr. Nath¬ 
aniel F. Ritter anl Anna Louisa, noe Bean, 
was born Aug. 10, 1874, at Breinigsville, 
Lehigh Co., Pa. He was brought up on 
the farm, attended the public schools of 
the district and became a school teacher. 
He attended Keystone State Normal School 
at Kutztown, graduating in 1895. He en¬ 
tered Muhlenberg College in 1900 and grad¬ 
uated in 1904. Then he entered the Phila¬ 
delphia Seminary and after the usual threo 
year course graduated in 1907. Was or¬ 
dained by the Ev. Luth. Ministerium of 
Penna., in St. James’ Church, Reading, 
May, 27, 1907. 

Having accepted a call to the Hellertown 
parish in the Allentown Conference, he 
entered upon his duty as pastor June 1, 
1907. 

Thence he was called to the Amityville 
parish in the Reading Conf. and entered 
upon his duties as pastor, August 15, 1915. 

July 14, 1904, he married Miss Jennie 
L. Kocher, Allentown, Pa. 

He has two sons and a daughter. 



428 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS 


COUNTY 


REV. I. ROELLER 


Isaac Roeller a son of Rev. John G. Roel- 
ler was born April 25, 1807 in Montgomery 
Co. He secured his classical training at 
Germantown. He studied theology under 
Dr. J. Miller at New Hanover. He was 
licensed at Lancaster in 1829 and was or¬ 
dained at the same place in 1830. He at 
once took charge of the Longswamp and 
five other congregations. He moved to 
Kutztown in 1833 and ac 2 ept:d two addi¬ 
tional congregations. He now had Moselem, 
Mertztown, Fleetwood, Longswamp, Kutz¬ 
town, Huff’s Fogelsville, and Stony Point. 
This was his first and only field. He re¬ 
tired in 1861 to permit Rev. B. E. Kram- 
lich to become his successor. He died at 
Kutztown Nov. 10, 1897. 



REV. F. J. F. SCHANTZ, D.D. 

Franklin J. Fogel Schantz a son of Jacob 
Schantz and Sarah Fogel was born at 
Schantz’s Mill Lehigh Co. January 8, 1836. 
He attended the Allentown Seminary 1848- 
50 and the Allentown Collegiate Institute 
1850-53. He entered Franklin and Marshall 
College during the latter year and gradua¬ 
ted in 1855. He studied theology at Gettys¬ 
burg 1855-57 and was licensed by the W. 
Pennsylvania Synod in 1857. He was re¬ 
ceived into the Ministerium of Pennsylvania 
for ordination in 1858. From Oct. 1857 
to Jan. 1858 he supplied Trinity Reading 
and was then elected pastor and remained 
until 1861. He had charge of Catasauqua 
from 1861 to 1866. He also acted as finan¬ 
cial agent of the Philadelphia Seminary 
1865-66. He tooK charge of Myerstown in 
1867 supplying Jonestown in connection 
with it for almost a score of years while 
he also served Mt. Aetna during the entire 
period. He was married to Cordelia S. 
Saee-er in 1868. He died Januarv 19, 1907 
at Myerstown, while still the pastor of 
Myerstown and Mt. Aetna. He was presi¬ 
dent of the Ministerium of Pennsvlvania 
1901-04. 



429 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. O. S. SCHEIRER 

Oscar Sylvester Scheirer a son of Adam 
Scheirer and Caroline (Bortz) was born 
in Egypt Lehigh Co., May 17, 1862. He at¬ 
tended the Normal School at Kutztown and 
entered Muhlenberg College in 1884 and 
graduated in 1888. He took the usual course 
at the Philadelphia Seminary graduating 
in 1891. He was ordained the same year 
and immediately became the pastor of the 
Lickdale or Walmers parish in Lebanon 
County which he served until 1894. 
Beavertown parish 1894-96, Grimsville 
parish, 1896-1914, Zion’s Girardville, 1914- 
18, Christ, Freemansburg, 1918 to the 
present time. He married Annie L. Kuhns 
on May 28, 1891. 

He has two daughters. 


REV. J. O. SCHLENKER 

James Oliver Schlenker a son of Reuben 
and Annie (Fisher) Schlenker, was born 
June 10, 1861, in Greenwich Twp., Berks 
Co. He spent his early years on the farm, 
attending the public schools of the district. 
His education preparatory to college and 
seminary, he received at the Keystone State 
Normal School, Kutztown, and Perkiomen 
Seminary. In 1879, he entered Muhlenberg 
College and graduated 1883. In the fall 
of the latter year he entered the Philadel¬ 
phia Seminary, graduating 1886. He was 
ordained the same year June 22nd at Christ 
Church, Easton. 

Having received and accepted a call to 
Zion, Tamaqua, he served that congrega¬ 
tion four years. Then he was called to 
Christ Church, Hazleton, where he spent 
about twenty years, when he became Secre¬ 
tary of the Slav Mission Board, 1911-1914. 

Having accepted a call from the Grims¬ 
ville parish, he entered upon his duties 
as their pastor November 1, 1914. 

He married Mary Kolb in 1887. A 
daughter was born. 

He married Katherine Kohlhaas in 1911. 
A son was born. 




430 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS 


COUNTY 


REV. B. M. SCHMUCKER, D. D. 

Beale Melanchthon Schmucker a son of 
Prof. S. S. Schmucker D.D. and wife nee 
Steenbergen was born August 26, 1827. He 
graduated at Gettysburg College in 1844. 
After completing his course at the Gettys¬ 
burg Seminary he was licensed by the W. 
Pennsylvania Synod in 1847 and ordained 
by the Maryland Synod in 1848. He served 
at Martinsburg Va. and Shephardstown 
Pa. 1848-51. On account of trouble with 
his voice he was temporarily at his father's 
home until 1852 when he accepted a call 
to Allentown where he organized St. John’s 
Church and served it until 1862. He was 
pastor of St. John’s Easton 1862-67, St. 
James’ Reading, 1867-81, Transfiguration 
Pottstown, 1881-88. In 1860 he married 
Christiana M. Pretz of Allentown. Two 
sons were born. He died at Pottstown 
October 15, 1888. 



REV. C. E. SCHULZE 

Christopher Emanuel Schulze, a son of 
John Andrew and Amelia Schulze w r as born 
in Germany on January 25, 1740. He was 
ordained at the age of 25 years and came 
to America shortly afterwards landing at 
Philadelphia in October, 1765. He was wel¬ 
comed by Muhlenberg and immediately 
elected second pastor of the congregation at 
Philadelphia. After five years’ service he 
accepted a call from the Tulpehocken parish 
and moved to Stouchsburg. In 1776 he 
married Eve Elizabeth, a daughter of Rev. 
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg. He was as 
prominent as the parish he served having- 
been President of the Ministerium for 7 
years betw r een 1781 and 1794. He also held 
the honored office of Senior in the Minis¬ 
terium for 13 years prior to his death which 
occurred at Stouchsburg, March 9, 1809. 
His pastoral activities during the 39 years 
of his active ministry, covered the critical 
period of the Revolutionary War, consisted 
in organizing congregations, building 
churches and administering to the spiritual 
wants of many people scattered over a wide 
territory. He is buried at Stouchsburg. 
See page 494. 


431 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


See 

Page 

18 


REV. J. A. M. SCHULTZE, Governor 

John Andrew Melchior Schultze a son of 
F„ev. Christopher Emanuel Schultze and 
Eve Elizabeth (Muhlenberg) was born at 
Stouchsburg July 19, 1775. His grand¬ 
father Henry Melchior Muhlenberg was 
one of his sponsors. He studied theology 
under his uncle Rev. H. E. Muhlenberg of 
Lancaster and under another uncle Dr. 
Kunze of New York. Entered the ministry 
in 1796 and served as assistant to his father 
in the Stouchsburg parish until 1804. Pro¬ 
tracted attacks of rehumatism compelled 
him to relinquish his pastoral labors. After 
serving several terms as legislator and 
filling other state offices he was elected by 
a large majority to be the governor of 
Pennsylvania in 1823. He was reelected in 
1829 when his opponent received only 1000 
votes, less than two per cent. He died at 
Lancaster in 1852. 



REV. G. S. SEAMAN 

George Schock Seaman a son of Solomon 
Seaman and Elizabeth (Schock) was born 
near Hamburg May 20, 1856. Preliminary 
education was sought in the public schools 
and the Hamburg High School. He entered 
Muhlenberg College in 1875 graduating 
in 1879. The same year he entered the 
Philadelphia Seminary completing the 
regular course in 1882. He was ordained the 
same year and at once took charge of the 
church at Elizabethtown, Pa. 1882-89, 
pastor, Halifax N. S. 1916, Berwick, 1916- 
Adamsburg, Pa. 1889-96, Homestead, Pa. 
1896-1904, Lessport, Pa. 1904-14, supply 
17, Wildwood N. J. 1917-18, Kimberton, 
1919 to present time. He was Mission 
Superintendent of the Pittsburgh Synod 
1901-03. He married Emily S. Roth in 
1882. One son and three daughters were 
born. 


432 







LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. J. C. SEEGERS D.D. 

John Conrad Seegers a son of John Con¬ 
rad Seegers and Mary D. (Schroeder) was 
born at Columbia S. C. October 6, 1867. 
He graduated at Newberry College in 1888 
and from the Philadelphia Seminary in 1891 
being ordained by the Holston Synod in 
that year. He was pastor of First Church 
Richmond Va. 1891-94, Church of the Re¬ 
deemer, Albany N. Y. 1895-1901, St. John’s 
Easton, 1901-1911. Trinity, Reading, 1911- 
14, St. Paul’s Wilmington N. C. 1918-21. 
He was professor of Practical Theology in 
Southern Seminary at Columbia S. C. from 
1914-18 and in 1921 was elected Professor 
of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology at the 
Philadelphia Seminary. He is a member of 
the Reading Conference. He married May 
E. Ide of Richmond Va. in 1893. He is the 
father of four sons and four daughters. 



REV. W. B. SMITH, Ph. D. 

William Benjamin Smith was born April 
17, 1878, at Shoemakersville, Berks Co., Pa. 
a son of Geo. L. and Caroline L., (nee Lo 
Smith. In early youth he attended the 
public schools of Shoemakersville, also those 
of Reading and Philadelphia. He spent the 
better part of his youth and young manhood 
in Reading. Later he attended the Reading- 
Academy, also the Reading Business Col¬ 
lege. For some time ha- was engaged m 
teaching school. 

He entered Susquehanna Universitv, 
September 21, 1906, and graduated June 
16, 1910. He then entered the Theological 
department of the same institution, gradua¬ 
ting June 11, 1913. 

He was ordained at Danville, May 4; 1913, 
by the Susquehanna Synod. He then took 
charge of the Ev. Lutheran Church at Steel- 
ton, June 12, 1913, where he served until 
June 4, 1916, when he removed to Reading, 
havin'” - received a call from St. Peter’s 
where he is serving at present. 

August 23, 190-4 fte mariiv. _.ss Sarah 
Marie Engel. 



433 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. B. S. SMOLL 



Beneville Smith Smoll a son of Charles 
and Rachel Smoll was born in New Han¬ 
over Twp. Montgomery Co. December 4, 
1832. He attended Frederick Institute 
where he secured his literary training. He 
was engaged in business in Philadelphia 
for several years. In 1867 he moved to a 
farm in Montgomery County. The desire 
of his childhood to become a minister now 
became stronger than ever and he entered 
the Philadelphia Seminary as a hospitant 
in 1872. He was ordained by the Minis- 
terium of Pennsylvania in 1874. He was 
pastor at Grimsville, 1874-96. He also 
served a number of other congregations be¬ 
sides those of this parish during his pastor¬ 
ate here. He was pastor of the Lickdale 
Parish Lebanon Co. 1896-1900. 

He married Katie N. Welker in 1860. 
Thirteen children were born including a 
son now in the ministry. He married 
Amelia S. Dietrich in 1885. Seven children 
were born. He died on April 23, 1900. 



REV. C. C. SNYDER, B.D. 

Corson Cressman Snyder a son of Edwin 
and Emma Snyder was born at Harleysville, 
Pa. on Dec. 20, 1892. After a preliminary 
training in the public schools and other 
preparatory school work he entered Muh¬ 
lenberg College from which he graduated 
in 1917. He graduated from the Philadel¬ 
phia Seminary in 1920 and was ordained 
by the Ministerium of Pa. at its meeting- 
in Wilkes-Barre Pa. on June 3, 1920. He 
at once became the pastor of the newly 
formed Shilling-ton parish which he is now' 
serving. 

In 1920 he was married to Lucy Willen- 
becker of Allentow-n, Pa. He has a daugh¬ 
ter. 


434 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS 


COUNTY 


REV. J. F. SNYDER 

John Franklin Snyder a son of Jacob 
and Sarah J. (Kuntsle'' Snyder was born 
at Kresgeville, Pa., on Oct. 20, 1874. He 
received his early training in public and 
private schools of ms native place. He 
taught school for some time and then en¬ 
tered Muhlenberg College graduating in 
1896. He graduated irom the Philadelphia 
Seminary in 1899 and was ordained by the 
Ministerium of Pa. in Trinity. Reading on 
May 29, of the same year. He was pastor 
at East Bangor 1899-1902 when he accepted 
a call to become the assistant pastor at 
Trinity Reading, having charge of the two 
missions Faith and Peace. He resigned in 
1918 and in 1919 became the pastor at 
Weissport, Pa. where he is now serving. 



REV. G. F. SPIEKER, D. D., LL. D. 

George Frederick Spieker a son of Her¬ 
man H. Spieker and Margaret E. (Dorges) 
was born at Elk Ridge Landing, Md., on 
November 17, 1844. He graduated from 
Baltimore City College in 1863, attended 
Gettysburg Seminary 1863-65 and gradua¬ 
ted from the Philadelphia Seminary in 
1867 and was at once ordained by the Minis¬ 
terium of Pennsylvania. He was pastor 
of the Kutztown parish 1867-83, St. 
Michael’s Allentown, 1883-94. He was then 
elected Professor of Church Histor- and 
Old Testament Theology and Introduction at 
the Philadelphia Seminary holding this 
position until his death. He was also Pro¬ 
fessor of German at Gettysburg College, 
1864-66, German Professor, Normal School 
Kutztown, 1867-68, Hebrew Professor at 
Muhlenberg College 1887-94. He married 
Hannah Hoch in 1869. Three sons and a 
daughter were born. One son was a pastor. 
He died at Philadelphia on September 7, 
1913. 



435 








BERKS 


COUNTY 


LUTHERANS IN 



REV. L. B. STERNER 

Leidy Benner Sterner a son of William 
and Susanna (Benner) Sterner was born 
Oct. 31, 1877 in Bucks Co. He received 
his early training- in the public schools and 
then went to Muhlenberg* College from 
which he graduated in 1906. He 
graduated from the Philadelphia Sem¬ 
inary in 1909 and was ordained by 
the Ministerium of Penna. in the Church 
of the Holy Communion, Phila. on June 7, 
1909. He was pastor of the Audenried- 
Beaver Meadow parish from 1909 to 1913, 
of the Weissport Pa. parish from 1913 to 
1914, of the North Water Gap parish from 
1915 to 1919 and of th' Herndon Pa. parish 
from 1919 to 1921. Since 1921 he has 
been residing in Reading and is a member 
of the Reading Conference by virtue of his 
residence here and is doing local supply 
work. In 1913 he married Emma A. Schut- 
ter of Reading. He has a son. 



REV. M. H. STETTLER 

Marvin Harold Stettler a son of Harrison 
D. and Medina (Baer) Stettler was born 
at Allentown, Pa. on Nov. 17, 1875. He 
entered the academic department of Muh¬ 
lenberg College in 1892 and graduated 
from the college proper in 1896. He grad¬ 
uated from the Philade’phia Seminary in 
1899 and was ordained in Trinity Read'ng 
on May 29 of the same year by the Minis¬ 
terium of Pa. The Board of Missions of 
the synod called him to take charge of 
St. Paul’s mission in Reading and other 
missions at Mohnton. Shillington and Oak- 
brook. These missions have become identi¬ 
fied with other pastoral charges while he 
has continued to serve St. Paul’s to the 
present time. 

In 1909 he married Naomi A. Gougler. 
He has a son and two daughters. 


436 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. D. D. TREXLER 

Daniel Dietrich Trexler a son of Daniel 
and Anna (Dietrich) Trexler was born in 
Greenwich Twn Berks Co. Pa. on Novem¬ 
ber 29, 1842. In 1860 he went to Union 
county to attend a private school. In 1861 
he entered Freeland Seminary now Ursinus 
College. He then taught school and in 1864 
resumed his studies at Freeland Seminary. 
In 1865 he entered the Philadelphia 
Seminary and graduated in 1868. He 
was ordained by the Ministerium of 
Penna. in St. Mark’s, Philadelphia, on June 
10, 1868. Soon thereafter he took charge 
of the Bernville parish which he served 
until his death. He served the following 
churches: Frieden’s Bernville, 1868-1876, 
Christ Ch. Tulpehocken, 1868-1878, N. Hei¬ 
delberg, 1868-1883, Salem, Millersburg, and 
Rehrersburg Union, 1868-1914; Shartles- 
ville, 1874-1914: Lenhartsville, 1880-1914. 
Soon after he entered the ministry he mar¬ 
ried Agnes Amanda Geiss. He died at 
Bernville Pa. on May 24, 1914. 

He has two sons in the ministry. 




REV. M. VALENTINE, D. D. 

Milton Valentine a son of Jacob and 
Rebecca Valentine was born near Union- 
town Maryland January 1, 1825. He re¬ 
ceived his preparatory training at Taney- 
town, Md. and entered Gettysburg College 
in 1846 graduating in 1850. He tutored 
and studied theology at Gettysburg 1850-52 
and was then licensed as a minister. He 
supplied Winchester Va. 1852-53; engaged 
in missionary work at Pittsburgh 1853-54; 
pastor at Greensburg, 1854-55; principal 
of Institute at Middletown, Pa. 1855-59 
while suffering with throat trouble; pastor 
St. Matthew’s, Reading 1859-66; professor 
at Gettysburg College 1866-1868; President 
of College, 1868-1884; Seminary Professor 
at Gettysburg 1884-1903 continuing as Pro¬ 
fessor Emeritus until his death. He mar¬ 
ried Margaret G. Galt of Tanneytown, Md., 
in 1855. He died February 7, 1906. 



437 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 



REV. H. W. WARMKESSEL 

Henry William Warmkessel a son of 
Thomas Warmkessel and Mary Ann (Mer¬ 
kel) was born in Maxatawny Twp. May 22, 
1862. He received his preparatory train¬ 
ing in the Normal School at Kutztown and 
entered Muhlenberg College in 1883 grad¬ 
uating in 1886. He then entered the Phila¬ 
delphia Seminary and graduated in 1889. 
He was ordained by the Ministerium of 
Pennsylvania in June of the same year. 
For a time he was the assistant of the Rev. 
D. K. Humbert in the Bowers parish. He 
was pastor at Coopersburg, Pa. for the 
year 1890-91. From 1891-98 he was pastor 
of Faith and Peace Reading; Hope, Read¬ 
ing, St. Joseph’s Hill Church, and St. 
Paul’s, Lobachsville, 1891 to the present 
time. 

He married Mrs. E. Irene Schalkof Moyer. 



REV. A. M. WEBER 

Adam Monroe Weber a son of John 
Weber and Salesa (Daniels) was born at 
Bernville, Pa., on March 30, 1863. By public 
and private schooling he prepared for 
Muhlenberg College which he entered in 
1881 graduating in 1885. After taking the 
regular three year Course at the Philadel¬ 
phia Seminary he graduated in 1888 and 
was ordained by the Ministerium of Penn¬ 
sylvania in the same year. He took charge 
of the English Mission at Newark N. J. 
in 1889. In 1890 he moved to Mt. Joy and 
remained pastor there until 1893. He then 
went to Boyertown where he has since 
been the pastor of St. John’s Church. He 
married Alma M. Rentschler in 1883. Five 
sons and five daughters were born. One 
son is in the ministry. 


438 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. W. E. WENNER 


Wesley Edgar Wenner a son of Allen 
Samuel and Rose Jane (Koch) Wenner was 
born at Litzenberg, Pa. on April 21, 1874. 
He graduated from Muhlenberg College 
with the class of 1898 and from the Phila¬ 
delphia Seminary with the class of 1901. 
He was ordained by the Ministerium of Pa. 
in 1901. He was pastor at Danville Pa. 
from 1902 to 1904 when he accepted a call 
to the church at Kimberton Pa. where he 
remained until 1908. He then became the 
pastor of the Mt. Bethel, Pa. parish and 
served there until 1920 when he accepted a 
call to the Sassamansville-Niantic parish 
of the Norristown Conference in connection 
with which he is serving the congregation 
at Bechtelsville Berks Co. He married 
Kate Janette Heiberger in 1903. 

He has a daughter. 



REV. A. E. YOUSE 

Alvin Edward Youse a son of Wm. N. 
Youse, and Sarah, nee Keller was born 
May 2, 1876, at New Jerusalem, Rockland 
Twp., Berks Co. His early years were 
spent on the farm. He attended the public 
school of the place. Afterwards he attended 
the Keystone Normal School at Kutztown 
and graduated there. He then spent five 
years in teaching in the schools of Berks 
and Northampton. In the year 1900 he 
graduated at Perkiomen Seminary. Then 
he went to Muhlenberg College and grad¬ 
uated in 1903. He entered the Philadel¬ 
phia Seminary and graduated in 1906. He 
was ordained June 11th of the same year 
in St. John’s, Race St., Philadelphia. 

He then went to Winnipeg, Canada, to 
take charge of the English Lutheran Mis¬ 
sion at that place. Having served that 
field for one year he accepted a call to 
Myerstown, Lebanon Co., Pa. He is serving 
Frieden’s, Myerstown: St. John’s, Mt. 
Aetna, Berks Co., and St. Paul’s, Richland, 
lately organized by himself. 

June, 1906, he married Lizzie W. Barto 
of Rockland Township. They have three 
sons and a daughter. 



439 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


REV. B. D. ZWEIZIG 



Benjamin Dunkelberger Zweizig a son of 
John Zweizig and Catharine (Dunkelber- 
ger) was born at Hamburg, Pa. on Feb¬ 
ruary 6, 1833. He received his preparatory 
training in Gettysburg College Academy 
graduating from the college in 1856. He 
taught school while studying theology under 
Rev. t . A. M. Keller. He was ordained 
b ythe Ministerium of Pennsylvania in 1859. 
From 1857 to 1864 he assisted Rev. Keller. 
In 1859 he took char- ' of Gernant’s church, 
in 1860 of Maidencreek, Blandon, in 1867 
Of Leesport, in 1864 of Sinking Spring, in 
1861 of Schwartzwald and Hmnershitz. He 
also served Plow, Gouglersville, Emanuel’s 
Hamburg and St. John’s Hamburg during 
short periods. In 1863 he took charge of 
Epler’s and Belleman’s. About 1867 he also 
took charge of St. Michael’s. He also 
served Yocum’s for about thirty years. At 
the time of his death he was still the pastor 
of seven of the above churches. He married 
Mary Ann Shollenberger in 1856. He died 
at Reading on September 9, 1903. A son 
entered the ministry, another entered the 
profession of law. Two daughters also 
survive. 



REV. M. L. ZWEIZIG, D.D. 

Martin Luther Zweizig a son of Rev. 
B. D. Zweizig and his wife Mary Ann Roi 
(Shollenberger) was born at Hamburg Pa. 
Oct. 17, 1857. He received his preparatory 
training in the public schools of Reading. 
He entered Muhlenberg College in 1874 and 
graduated in 1877. He went to the Phila¬ 
delphia Seminary and graduated there in 
1880. He was ordained by the Ministerium 
of Pa. in the Church of the Transfiguration, 
Pottstown, Pa. on June 13, 1881. He was 
pastor of Trinity Scranton, 1882-1887 then 
spent a year in traveling in Europe. In 
1889 he was called by the Home Mission 
Board of the General Council to take up 
work in Portland, Oregon, where he or¬ 
ganised St. James congregation. In 1901 
after another short trip to Europe he ac¬ 
cepted the call of the church at Leechbure:. 
Pa., where he served until 1909 when he 
became pastor of St. James’ Reading. In 
1922 he resigned on account of illness and 
was elected Pastor Emeritus. On June 12, 
1901 he married Jane Ritchie McFadden of 
Indiana, Pa. 

He has a daughter. 


440 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


THE MOLATTON CHURCH (DOUGLASSVILLE) 

3 N 1693, the Swedes, who had settled at Molatton (Doug- 
lassville) and vicinity, petitioned John Thelim, P. M. 
at Joetheborg for two ministers and also for certain 
religious books. They wrote: “We live in great amity with 
the Indians who have not done us any harm for years.” 
Archbishop Euebilius sent them books and ministers. 

One of these ministers was Rev. Andreas Rudman of 
Gestricia. He arrived June 24, 1697. 


FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH (SWEDISH) IN BERKS COUNTY 

A log house was erected soon afterward. It stood near 
the eastern line of St. Gabriel’s church property, Douglass- 
ville, about 20 paces south of the old turnpike. This was 
the original ‘Swedes’ Church. It was 24 by 30 feet, and 
one story high. The door faced east. This building was the 
first house of worship within the present limits of Berks 
County, and it was used for this and for school purposes for 
many years. (1831?) 

When William Penn came to Pennsylvania the second 
time (1699-1700), he offered the Swedes 10,000 acres of 
land up the river where they might all have more room and 



441 





















LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


live together. The annual rental was 100 bushels of wheat. 
On October 2, 1701, Rudman was authorized to take up 
these 10,000 acres, virtually more and including the present 
Amity Township. He gave the tract to his fellow Swedes; 
and, as each wanted to have his portion along the Schuyl¬ 
kill in order to fish, the tract was cut into strips by parallel 
roads about a mile apart and running north and south from 
the river to the old Swamp road. 

Rudman, as the first provost of the Swedes on the Dela¬ 
ware and pastor at Wicaco besides suffering from pulmon¬ 
ary troubles, was unable to give Molatton any further atten¬ 
tion. 

Andrew Sandel, Swedish provost, had come to America 
upon the earnest appeal of his intimate friend Rudman. 
Sandel now served in Philadelphia and attended to the re¬ 
ligious needs of Molatton as much as possible until 1719, 
when he returned to Sweden. 

On March 24, 1719, a meeting from all parts of the Wi¬ 
caco congregation was held to arrange for the services and 
support of two pastors, Rev. Samuel Hesselius and Rev. 
Jonas Lidman. Many from Manathania (Manatawny) and 
Molatton were present. These represented that they always 
held to the Wicaco congregation, contributed their just 
share to buildings and toward the support of the minister; 
and, therefore, they prayed to have Hesselius live among 
them. 

In 1720, Hesselius came and lived at Douglassville. He 
was the first Lutheran pastor that resided in Amity Town¬ 
ship, and the first pastor of any kind that resided perman¬ 
ently in the present Berks County. (Rev. J. W. Early). 

In October, 1723, Hesselius complained that the hearers 
were few and that they did not support him properly. There¬ 
after Lidman and Eneberg served as supplies until Rev. 
Gabriel Falk became pastor of Wicaco and Molatton in 1733. 

In 1735, Hesselius removed to Molatton, and officiated 
as pastor there during the greater part of the next ten 
years. In the beginning of his pastorate, he succeeded in 
erecting a church which was begun in 1736 and completed 
in 1737. It was built of logs. The land had been obtained 
from Andrew Robeson. 


442 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


In 1742, the Moravians endeavored to get possession of 
the church. The same year, Zinzendorf brought a number 
of co-laborers to Pennsylvania, and endeavored to secure 
members and support from all churches. It is related that 
a young Swede was sent to Molatton; and, having won over 
some Swedish, English, Irish and Germans, tried with their 
help to obtain possession of the church. Services were an¬ 
nounced by him on a certain day. On that day the regular 
pastor (Falk) early went to church and awaited the arrival 
of the emissary, who finally arrived after the people had 
assembled. Falk, an old man, left the pulpit to meet him 
and said,—“You enter the sheepfold as a thief and mur¬ 
derer, ” and then gave him a heavy blow on the mouth. The 
members separated them before it came to a fight. In the 
end, the Moravians obtained a foothold during the absence 
of Falk; but they were not to remain in the field for long. 
Falk left in 1745, and the congregation had no pastor for 
seven years. 

The third and last Swedish resident pastor was John 
Abram Lindenius, who was sent by Acrelius near the close 
of 1752. He resided at Molatton until 1755. During the 7 
years before Lindenius came and after he left, Henry Mel¬ 
chior Muhlenberg preached frequently. (See St. Paul’s, 
Amityville). 


THE CHURCH IN CUMRU 

C ONCERNING this church Rev. Early published the 
following: “The little church as we are told, stand¬ 
ing on the right bank of the Wyomissing, was not 
more than one-third of a mile from the road leading from 
Sinking Spring to Shillington and only a narrow field’s 
breadth from the road leading from the Five-Mile House 
along the Wyomissing to Reading. The existence of a bury¬ 
ing ground with more than one hundred graves shows 
clearly that it was not a family cemetery. The location is 
about equally distant from the two Welsh Baptist Churches, 
the one located at Sinking Spring and the other at Wyomis¬ 
sing. It is supposed by some to have been an Episcopal 
Church but from the will of David Jones (where the Luth- 


443 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


eran Church is specifically named) and from the fact that 
the tombstones bear the names of German settlers and 
other corroborating evidence such as the positive location 
from the above named will and succeeding deeds it is proven 
as clear as it can well be made that an Episcopal Church 
was established at this point about 1730-1733. Also that 
soon after its organization because of the predominance of 
the Germans they were admitted to a right and share in 
the church; that thirty or forty years after its establish¬ 
ment this right is publicly acknowledged in legal documents. 
The information of the oldest residents obtained from their 
forefathers confirms the tradition that this Lutheran Con¬ 
gregation was in existence until late in the eighteenth or 
early in the nineteenth century.” 

See Reading Times October 28, 1907. 


EMANUEL’S CHURCH, HAMBURG 


/*$pB*HIS union church was built about 1850. It was com- 
/I posed of people who withdrew from St. John’s on ac- 
count of the language question. Only English was 
used in its services. A brick building was erected a few 
squares north of the old St. John’s Church. The building 
committee consisted of Dr. John Seiberling, John Lubary, 
William E. Shollenberger, Jacob Geiger, Reuben Lins, 
George Shollenberger and Daniel Kern. The building cost 
about $11,000.00 

The corner-stone was laid June 12, 1854, by Candidate 
Scheide who was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. F. A. 
M. Keller who served until his death and was succeeded by 
Rev. B. D. Zweizig who served until it ceased to exist. 

On July 5, 1887 a tornado wrecked the building. At its 
greatest strength this union church once had a combined 
membership of 250. The membership gradually dwindled 
and with the misfortune of having their building destroyed 
it was possible to keep the flock together for only a short 
time when the property was sold to the Evangelicals. 


444 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


FRIEDEN’S, WICKLEIN’S, ROBESON TOWNSHIP 

/^■fc^HIS church, situated between one and two miles west 
ilF of St. John’s, Gibraltar, was built in 1866. The land 
was donated by David Wicklein, a relative of Rev. 
Jacob F. Wicklein, styled an independent Lutheran preacher 
for whose special benefit the church is said to have been 
built. Because of the fact that this church or congregation, 
was independent of all synodical connection, there is no 
available data as to its history. The church was originally 
Lutheran, then Union and afterwards Reformed. 


445 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


(Uje (Lulpeljocken Confusion 

A history of the Lutherans pertaining to the Tulpe- 
hocken region, southwestern portion of Berks County, 
would not be complete without a sketch of the disturbances 
in the religious affairs of that region during the years 
1734 to 1743 in connection with the Tulpehocken Lutheran 
(Reed’s) congregation. 

A description of these disturbances was published by 
the Moravians in a document of some length, in German 
(printed at Bethlehem, Pa.), entitled “Die Confusion von 
Tulpehocken”, (The Tulpehocken Confusion), which has 
been translated by Rev. J. W. Early. It is dated “Tulpe¬ 
hocken, Aug. 11, 1742,” and signed “The Deacons of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Congregation at Tulpehocken”. The 
document appears to have been published in answer to a 
letter, printed in English, entitled “A Protestation of the 
Members of the Protestant Lutheran and Reformed Reli¬ 
gions—about the bad Commotion which happened on Sun¬ 
day the 18th of July, 1742”. 

The correctness of the document is attested to by Con¬ 
rad Weiser as follows (translation) : 

“In the year 1742, August 16th, a document called 
“Die Confusion von Tulpehocken”, in which the in¬ 
trigues of Caspar Stiever in regard to the Lutheran 
Church at TULPEHOCKEN are described, was placed 
in my hands. I testify, according to my best knowl¬ 
edge and belief, having been a disinterested looker on 
since the time when these disturbances began, that 
everything referring to Stiever occurred as described 
in the document named, and that the whole narrative 
contained in the document is true.” 

Considerable information on the subject is also found 
in the Moravian Records at Bethlehem, Pa., and in “Hall- 
ische Nachrichten”, as given in “The Lutheran Church in 
Pennsylvania, 1639-1800”, by Rev. Theo. E. Schmauk, D. D. 

The first settlers of the Tulpehocken region were 
emigrants from the Schoharie settlements of the Province 


446 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


of New York. Some 30 families came in the year 1723; 
others followed in the next few years. Conrad Weiser, 
wife and four children arrived in 1729. These daring and 
sturdy pioneers were mostly Lutherans with a few 7 Re¬ 
formed. They had been among the German emigrants, 
(farmers, vine dressers, etc.) that landed at New York in 
1710 to settle on the Hudson and Mohawk rivers, having 
about two years previously come to England with that 
object in view at the solicitation of Queen Anne. Instead 
of being allowed to follow their occupations, they were 
compelled to cut down trees, burn tar, and raise hemp for 
the use of the English Government. In 1712 and 1713 they, 
however, broke away from this industrial oppression and, 
after many privations, established themselves in the beau¬ 
tiful Schoharie Valley. But there, too, they were not 
allowed to reap the rew r ards of their labors and were 
threatened wdth eviction. 

After the death, in 1718 or 1719, of Rev. Joshua Koch- 
erthal, the first Lutheran pastor in Schoharie, it appears 
that Bernard van (or von) Dieren (also Duehren, Dueren, 
Doeren, or Thieren), who claimed to have been ordained 
by the Court Preacher Boehme in London, served the 
Lutherans of Schoharie. He was a pietist Lutheran and 
with reference to the Tulpehocken settlers, through him, 
it is said, “most of the people had been convicted of their 
sin and made restless in their hearts w T hile they lived in 
Schoharie”. 

Van Dieren had promised to accompany the emigrants 
from Schoharie to Tulpehocken and to serve them as pas¬ 
tor. He, however, failed to carry out the promise but for 
several years he appears to have made visits once or twdce 
a year to administer the Lord’s Supper and to perform 
baptisms. 

Of Conrad Weiser’s four children born in Schoharie, 
tw 7 o were baptized, in 1722 and 1728, by Van Dieren, and 
one, in 1727, by W. C. Berkenmeyer, a Lutheran preacher 
w r ho antagonized Van Dieren in various v 7 ays, and w T ho 
probably also visited Tulpehocken a few times. 

It appears, therefore, that these early Lutheran Tul¬ 
pehocken settlers, including Conrad Weiser, were of the 


447 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


pietist type; that they came as a more or less organized 
body and not as mere individuals; and that they effected 
a congregational organization as soon as possible after 
their arrival. Weiser, however, later in life, no doubt 
accepted Lutheranism as expounded in its spiritual sense 
by Muhlenberg. 

In the absence of a regular pastor the congregation 
was served by a reader (vorleser) who read sermons and 
gave religious instruction. Conrad Weiser, after his arri¬ 
val in 1729, became the reader and conducted the services 
in that congregation which was then worshipping in a 
church that had been built as early as 1727. 

Weiser appears to have been at the head of a move¬ 
ment, about 1732, to secure a Lutheran pastor from Halle, 
in Germany, through Court Preacher Ziegenhagen, in Lon¬ 
don, who in 1722 had succeeded Court Preacher Boehme. 
A paper, or call, was drawn up for the purpose, signed by 
the Lutheran members of the congregation, and delivered 
by Weiser to a Caspar Leutbecker, with whom Weiser had 
acquaintanceship and who promised, as stated by Weiser, 
“to send that writing or call to Court Preacher Ziegenhagen 
in London, together with other information pertaining to 
the affair”. (The name Leutbeceker is found also as Leit- 
becker, Liebbecker and Lithbecker.) 

With reference to this call the Moravian document 
shows (1) that the call was sent some time in 1733 to a 
“certain conscientious minister in Germany” known to 
Leutbecker; (2) that while awaiting the arrival of the 
minister a house was built for him at the suggestion of 
Leutbecker who during that time took charge of the con¬ 
gregation teaching and preaching and who by his faithful 
service had endeared himself to the people so that they 
would have preferred him as their regular minister; (3) 
that after waiting nearly a whole year, news was received 
that the preacher coming from Germany had died at sea; 
(4) that a call was then extended to Leutbecker to be¬ 
come the regular minister; and (5) that Leutbecker 
accepted the call, came and occupied the house built for 
the preacher, and preached his introductory sermon stat¬ 
ing that he would serve the people conscientiously in the 


448 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


matter of preaching and in the administration of the sacra¬ 
ments. These later events occurred in 1734. 

Conrad Weiser in this connection, in his letter to Rev. 
Brunholtz, said— 

“The supposed preacher died upon the water—so 
Leutbecker told us. The latter then was received as 
preacher by the majority (some few excepted). I 
earnestly protested against this step, because I began 
to doubt whether the above mentioned call had ever 
been sent to England. Finally I staid away from serv¬ 
ices, and remained entirely at home. In the congre¬ 
gation a great disturbance arose.” 

Muhlenberg’s account relative to the matter has the 
following: 

“Mr. Leutbecker said that this call had been prop¬ 
erly forwarded. As, meanwhile, some time elapsed, 
Leutbecker himself began to preach and made public 
that a preacher by the name of Bagenkopf had been 
sent by way of Hamburg and London, but died at sea. 
This ,among other things, resulted in Mr. Weiser and 
others separating themselves from Leutecker’s con¬ 
gregation, because they suspected that the call had not 
honestly been disposed of, and that the man had begun 
to exalt himself and to undertake a matter beyond his 
ability. About ten or twelve families clung to Mr. 
Leutbecker and acknowledged him as their regular 
minister, as he gave out that Court Preacher Boehme 
had ordained him.” 

It appears, therefore, that the congregation was not 
unanimous in having Leutbecker as the pastor and that 
the opposition kept constantly increasing. A breach in the 
congregation was consequently to be expected at any time. 

The rupture was not slow in coming, and when it came 
it brought about such serious disturbances that the effects 
thereof were felt through succeeding years. 

John Caspar Stoever (found also Stiever, Steffer, etc.), 
a strictly orthodox Lutheran preacher, became the uncom¬ 
promising opponent of the pietist Lutheran Leutbecker. 


449 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Stoever, according to all accounts, was bold, strenuous, 
aggressive, censorious and quick-tempered, and apparently 
lacked the spiritual qualities of heart and mind possessed 
by Muhlenberg. He seems to have preached the gospel 
and established congregations with the zeal and enterprise 
of a business man of the world. He was an indefatigable 
worker and had wonderful powers of endurance. For three 
years prior to his ordination on April 8, 1733, he appears 
to have visited different settlements preaching, baptizing 
and marrying. After his ordination he labored unceasingly, 
untiringly and extensively for a number of years. He 
made the rounds from settlement to settlement in all kinds 
of weather performing baptisms and marriages and preach¬ 
ing to the people all the way westward and northwestward 
from Philadelphia to the Susquehanna, and across that 
stream southward and southwestward through Maryland 
into Virginia. He was the forerunner of Lutheranism in 
many of those settlements. 

As to Stoever’s entry into the Tulpehocken contro¬ 
versy, the Moravian document, in which his name is given 
as Stiever, shows that Leutbecker refused to baptize a child 
brought to him by an intoxicated father; that the father, 
at the suggestion of another man, then applied to Caspar 
Stoever at Conestoga who came and baptized the child 
without consulting the regular pastor or investigating the 
case; and that “this then was the first act of interference 
on the part of Caspar Stiever and the primary cause of 
the Tulpehocken Confusion'’. This event took place prob¬ 
ably near the close of 1734. 

Stoevers policy was now to gain adherents. At first 
he preached in barns, but after a time he tried to get into 
the church with his people. In this Stoever, it is said, suc¬ 
ceeded all the sooner because Leutbecker “was a peaceably 
disposed man and even though he heard nothing but abuse 
he would rather give up his own rights”. Shortly thereafter 
it became manifest that Stoever desired to gain control of 
the church. To prevent disturbances the Leutbecker party 
was frequently compelled to omit services in the church, 
“until finally by unceasing abuse and denunciations Stiever 
so aroused his people that they drove us out of the church 


450 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


entirely and we were compelled to hold our services in the 
preacher’s house”. 

Then after taking counsel as to the proper procedure 
in the case, the Leutbecker party delegated tw r o members 
to report the matter to a certain William Webb. 

With reference to this matter it should be noted 
that the congregation at this time had no title to the church 
property and that much of the land occupied by these early 
settlers of that section, including the church property, was 
at the time part of the Manor of Plumpton, a tract of 5165 
acres, which by virtue of a warrant dated at London, Octo¬ 
ber 19, 1731, w r as surveyed on April 27, 1733, to John Page 
of Austin Fryers in the City of London, and confirmed, 
or patented, to him by the Penns on September 17, 1735. 
William Webb was one of the agents and attorneys consti¬ 
tuted by John Page to transact all business pertaining to 
the manor. 

Webb thereupon on January 22, 1736, sent a written 
Power of Attorney giving Leutbecker exclusive authority 
to teach and to preach in the church, and enjoining the 
Stoever party to keep the peace, until he could come and 
investigate the case. Stoever, whose adherents now, with¬ 
out doubt, outnumbered the members of the Leutbecker 
party, paid no attention to this and continued as before. 
It was found necessary shortly thereafter to renew this 
Power of Attorney by an additional one, but no better re¬ 
sults were obtained. Then Webb himself came and w 7 ith 
Leutbecker and Stoever w T ent to the church for the purpose 
of hearing w 7 hat each had to say and in that w’ay to deter¬ 
mine the cause of the controversy and possibly to effect a 
compromise between the tw T o parties. The meeting, how¬ 
ever, broke up in an uproar, Stoever having left the church, 
it is said, “in a fury of rage, scolding and reviling.” 

Webb, seeing that peace could not be secured by that 
plan, resolved to give the control of the church and the 
land connected therewith to certain men. “As the first step 
he secured a lock, fastened it to the door and locked the 
church.” He then on September 13, 1736, issued a Power 
of Attorney by which he empowered Leonard Rieth (Reed), 
Frederick Schaeffer, Michael Rieth (Reed) and Michael 


451 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Schaeffer, or any one of them, of Tulpehocken, to keep in 
possession the key of the church and to exercise control 
of the church and three acres of ground for the free use 
of religiously assembling to serve God at such days and 
times as may be thought proper by the minister and the 
four persons mentioned, with free access for all persons 
behaving peaceably when there assembled, no ways molest¬ 
ing or disturbing Caspar Leutbecker, now the minister, in 
the exercise of his duty. 

This action entirely interdicted Stoever’s trespassing 
and caused fearful commotion among his adherents who 
regarded the matter as slanderous. With a view to pos¬ 
sible peace, however, upon the suggestion of Leonard Reed 
and the approval of the congregation after some discus¬ 
sion, Webb on September 15, 1736, after setting forth the 
consequences that would likely result from the action, gave 
to Stoever a limited permit to enter the church with his 
people one Sunday every month, on which day the church 
was to be opened for him by the Leutbecker party. 

The doors of the church were now opened to the 
Stoever party on the fourth Sunday of every month. How¬ 
ever, after some time, Stoever desired to enter the church 
on other occasions. This was refused. But not to be 
thwarted in the matter and not daring to break Webb’s 
lock on the church door, Stoever and his party concluded 
to put another door in the church. According to the Mor¬ 
avian document it appears that a girl was pushed through 
a window into the church, and with a saw this girl on the 
inside and another girl on the outside enlarged the window 
to the dimensions of a door, through which Stoever and 
his people entered; that when Leutbecker and his people 
went to the church the following day they were surprised 
to find the Stoever party occupying the building, having 
assembled to celebrate communion; and that after this 
event the Stoever party took possession of the church on 
a number of succeeding Sundays and in that way crowded 
out the other party. 

It was then proposed by the adherents of Leutbecker 
to secure their rights by law; but their peace-loving 


452 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


preacher exhorted them to bear the wrong with Christian 
fortitude and to hold services in his house. 

Matters, however, went from bad to worse. Leut- 
becker’s house was attacked at night and the windows 
broken. His friends anxious for his safety kept watch 
over him at night for some time. He then became ill and 
finally was taken to George Loesch’s house where in 1738 
he died. Spangenberg, the forerunner of Zinzendorf is said 
to have preached his funeral sermon. 

Conrad Weiser in his letter to Rev. Brunnholtz wrote 
—“At last Leutbecker died. Before his death the wearing 
of the priest’s cap became rather heavy for him. He also 
had again sought my friendship before his end and found 
it.” 

Rev. John Nicholas Kurtz, who became the pastor of 
the Tulpehocken (Reed’s) congregation in 1747, says in his 
diary—“Leutbecker died in the midst of great persecution. 
But his party did not wish to hold to Stoever and there¬ 
fore for a time remained without a preacher, until at last 
Count Zinzendorf, the reformer, came to Pennsylvania.” 

After Leutbecker's death, his party was without a 
regular minister for several years while the Stoever party 
in the meantime seems to have been gaining ground. 

In the latter part of 1740, however, the Moravians 
made their appearance and supplied the Leutbecker party 
at intervals with preachers, although Spangenburg had 
occasionally visited them before that time and “had 
awakened in Weiser an interest in the Moravians as being 
a devoted class of pietist Lutherans.” 

Because of this pietist type of Lutheranism professed 
by the Moravians, the members of the Leutbecker party 
were naturally drawn to them. It is also shown in his¬ 
torical sketches that Zinzendorf, the founder of the Mor¬ 
avian sect, at Herrnhut, Saxony, in 1727, was a “fervent 
Lutheran of the pietist type.” The Leutbecker party now 
became known as the Moravian Lutherans as distinguished 
from the Lutherans under Stoever, and Weiser was one of 
their influential members. 

In February, 1742, Count Zinzendorf visited Tulpe¬ 
hocken, having come to that place from a conference held by 


453 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


him at Oley. Weiser had been at that conference as well as 
at a prior conference at Germantown where he made the 
acquaintance of Zinzendorf. Weiser was greatly impressed 
with Zinzendorf and considered him the proper person 
through whom to obtain a preacher from Halle for the 
Moravian Lutherans at Tulpehocken. In this connection 
Weiser has written as follows: “I thought now the time 
had come to help the congregation at Tulpehocken and 
opened the matter with the Count and asked him if he did 
not know how to bring a preacher from Halle hither. He 
saw no difficulty whatever in this, since, as he stated, he 
was in correspondence with the men at Halle. He journeyed 
with me from the Oley Conference to Tulpehocken in order 
to see the congregation itself. He preached the following 
Sunday in the Lutheran Church, yet not with any too large 
attendance.” 

Zinzendorf now proposed Gottlieb Buettner (shown also 
Gotlob Buetner) whom he had ordained at the conference 
at Oley and who, it was supposed, would be the means of 
peaceably ending the bitter disturbances. Buettner came 
and preached his introductory sermon near the close of 
February, 1742, the Stoever party having again been 
granted the privilege of preaching in the church every 
fourth Sunday. Buettner, however, failed in the peace 
policy, having attacked Stoever’s status as a Lutheran 
minister, and the disturbances continued. He then on May 
30, 1742, resigned and left the same day. 

In the mean time the Buettner party, apparently upon 
the advice of Conrad Weiser, stole a march on the Stoever 
party and secured possession of the church property, which 
by deed of May 15, 1742, was conveyed by William Webb 
to six leading members of the Moravian party. There was, 
however, a bitter controversy for a time as to whom the 
church property actually belonged—whether to the six 
men to whom the property was conveyed by deed or to the 
congregation through those six men as trustees. 

By this transaction the Moravian Lutherans gained 
entire possession of the church and its property and the 
Stoever party was permanently shut out. The Stoever 
party was therefore obliged to look for another place 


454 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


and in 1743 built the Tulpehocken Lutheran (Christ) church 
west of Stouchsburg; but there too Stoever is said to have 
“conducted himself badly” and failed to become its pastor. 

Immediately after Buettner’s resignation the dea¬ 
cons of the church, according to the Moravian document, 
“unanimously resolved to call anew their preacher who had 
moved away”. Several days thereafter they were notified 
that their preacher Gottlob Buettner had accepted the call 
and would come as soon as possible. The Moravian docu¬ 
ment then continues as follows: “We continued our services 
of singing, prayer and reading of sermons until, after the 
lapse of almost five weeks, our pastor again entered upon 
his duties. In the meanwhile we did not allow Stiever to 
preach. He preaches, as we hear, in a Reformed church, 
to which we have nothing to say”. 

Buettner after the acceptance of that call appears to 
have preached his first sermon on July 4, 1742, but about 
the beginning of September, 1742, he was sent away by 
Zinzendorf, and John Philip Meurer was put in his place. 
As the result of this change, Conrad Weiser says: “The 
majority ranged themselves with Caspar Stoever, until at 
last only several families remained over. But these latter 
capitulated to the so-called Moravians as follows—that they 
would be Lutheran as before in all points, that on the other 
hand the congregation at Bethlehem should give them a 
preacher who would preach for nothing.” 

The religious disturbances from 1734 to 1743, between 
Stoever and his adherents on the one side and the pietist 
Lutherans (afterward the Moravian Lutherans) on the 
other side, known as the Tulpehocken Confusion, were vir¬ 
tually ended by the conveyance of the church property to 
the Moravian Lutherans by deed of May 15, 1742, although 
they did not actually come to an end until the Stoever 
party concluded to found, in 1743, the Tulpehocken Luth¬ 
eran (Christ) Church about two miles westward of the 
Reed’s Church. 

After this a controversy arose between the Lutherans 
and the Moravians about the control and ownership of the 


455 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Reed’s Church. The Lutherans finally won when Rev. 
Kurtz became the pastor in 1747. 


[The matter contained in this article has been principally adapted 
or copied from “The Lutheran Church in Pennsylvania, 1638-1800”, 
by Rev. Theo. E. Schmauk, D. D., published in the Proceeding's of 
The Pennsylvania German Society, Vols. XI and XII, and from the 
Moravian document entitled “The Tulpehocken Confusion”.] 



THE TULPEHOCKEN 


456 









LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


History of the Itutljmm (@rpt]atts’ Home in 
lEerhs County, |Ja —^Lorateh at Copton 

The Beginning 

The first steps toward the founding of this Hiome were 
taken at a Sunday-school convention of the Reading Con¬ 
ference held at Boyertown, October 16, 1894. The question 
box contained this question: “What could be done on behalf 
of the orphans of our congregations or Sunday-schools being 
deprived of their homes and means of Christian education ?” 
The convention resolved to refer this question to the Con¬ 
ference and appointed a committee to present the matter 
in proper form. This committee consisted of Revs. Drs. 
M. C. Horine, J. J. Kuendig and Mr. H. W. Schick. They 
reported to the Conference on April 23, 1895: “We deem 
it advisable to take steps towards providing for the home¬ 
less orphans and half-orphans of our congregations. We 
would recommend that we commence in a small manner 
and in good faith towards providing for them, and feel 
satisfied that God will provide as needs require; and also 
that a committee be appointed to take up this work.” 

Revs. J. J. Kuendig, D. D., S. L. Harkey, D. D., U. P. 
Heilman, Messrs. H. W. Schick and A. Bendel were ap¬ 
pointed to present this matter to the Synod at its next 
meeting, and “In case our Synod approves of this step, this 
committee is to look around to see what can and should 
be done towards establishing such an institution.” 

On June 11, 1895, the committee laid the following 
before the Synod: “After due consideration, the Reading 
Conference, for many and weighty reasons, feels the ne¬ 
cessity of establishing, in this strongly Lutheran section 
of our Synod (Berks County and surroundings), a Home 
for orphans, friendless, homeless and neglected children; 
it therefore respectfully asks Synod to approve of its inten¬ 
tions to establish such a Home.” Upon this the Synod 
passed the following resolution: 

“Resolved, That the Ministerium has heard with great 
gratification the proposal of the Reading Conference to 
establish an Orphans’ Home within its bounds: 


457 


TIIE ORPHANS’ HOME 


LUTHERANS 


I N 


BERKS COUNTY 



458 























LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


“Resolved, That this movement meets with our hearty 
approval and that we pray that the blessing of God may 
attend it.” 

Since 1898 the Ministerium appointed a committee of 
official visitors to the Home, and now nominates two mem¬ 
bers of the Board. 

On May 5, 1896, a provisional constitution was adopted 
and a Board of Trustees elected, to whom was given the 
authority to purchase a farm and establish the Home. 

The Board of Trustees organized on May 11, 1896, 
and elected Rev. U. P. Heilman, president; H. W. Schick, 
secretary, and E. S. Wertz, treasurer. On October 12 of 



TIIE FARM BUILDINGS 

this year the Rev. U. P. Heilman was elected the Super¬ 
intendent of the Home. He labored earnestly and patiently 
for its establishment, and to his faithful and untiring ef¬ 
forts, under the divine blessing, the success of the Insti¬ 
tution is due in a large measure. The charter was granted 
by the court of the county on Dec. 7, 1896, and the Institu¬ 
tion was thus legally established under the title—“The 
Lutheran Orphans’ Home in Berks County, Pennsylvania.” 


459 













LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The corporation met as a legal body for the first time on 
May 11, 1897. Besides those mentioned the original Board 
included Revs. F. K. Huntzinger, A. M. Weber, Messrs. W. 

B. Bieber, H. H. Reinert and Philip S. Zieber, Esq. 

The Place 

After much visitation, deliberation and prayerful con¬ 
sideration, the Board of Trustees decided to purchase the 
farm of Peter Diener at Topton. Thus this Institution was 
located practically in the geographical and numerical centre 
of the territory of our Synod. This farm, bought October 
12, 1896, contains 105 acres. Additional ground was pur¬ 
chased to assure an unlimited supply of spring water. 

The Home 

The Superintendent with his family moved into the 
farm house on March 30, 1897. Here the first orphans, 
Sallie E. Carl, aged six years, and Clair E. Carl, aged nine 
years, were received on May 17. On the 29th of June, in 
the morning at 6 o’clock, the Superintendent, with pick 
and shovel on his back, went out to the building site of the 
projected main building and placed himself on the spot 
where his office was to be. Turning towards sunrise, with 
folded hands and uplifted face, he began, “In the name of 
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.’’ 
Then he dug out, in the shape of a cross, about the size 
of a man, several wheelbarrowfuls of ground. Then look¬ 
ing towards the north, and kneeling in the cross-shaped 
opening, he offered a brief prayer, asking God’s choicest 
benediction upon the Home. In this manner the ground 
for the Orphans’ Home was formally broken. 

Drawings and specifications for the building were made 
by Architect Frederick A. Barrows. The building com¬ 
mittee were Messrs. Bieber, Schick and Wertz and Revs. 
Huntzinger and Heilman. By Saturday, September 18, 
1897, the foundations were completed and the cornerstone 
was laid by the President of the Board, Rev. F. K. Hunt¬ 
zinger. Addresses were made by Revs. J. J. Cressman, M. 

C. Horine, D. D., J. J. Kuendig, D. D., John Gruhler, F. F. 
Fry, Supt. U. P. Heilman and Supt. Thomas Yundt, of 


460 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Bethany Home. On Thursday, September 14, 1899, the 
Home was dedicated by the President. The President of 
the Ministerium, the Rev. Samuel Laird, D. D., made the 
chief address. Others who spoke were Revs. Drs. F. J. F. 
Schantz and J. J. Kuendig, and Mr. Leonard Sefing, a di¬ 
rector of the Germantown Home. The building has a front 
of 115 feet and a depth of 57 and 76 feet, facing the north. 
The height to the top of the dome is 105 feet. The main 



THE ORIGINAL HOME 


building is three stories high and the wings two stories. 
The kitchen and dining room in the rear are 34 by 59 feet. 
The cost of the farm, buildings and furnishings totalled 
about S40,000, of which S7,000 was for the farm. 

The Superintendents 

Strenuous work was laid upon the Superintendent— 
the care of the multiplying number of children, the super¬ 
vision of the home, farm and school, the presentation of 
the cause before our congregations and the collecting of 
funds. Faithfully and successfully he labored until, broken 
in health, he laid down the work at the call of the Master, 
on April 10, 1900. His age was 50 years, 4 months and 
5 days. A burial plot was laid out near the Home building 
and here on April 16th his mortal remains were placed. 
Sermons in English were preached by Revs. S. L. Harkey, 
D. D., on Ps. 12:1, and by Rev. M. C. Horine, D. D., on Isa. 


461 














LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


55:8-9, and in German by Rev. A. M. Weber on Rev. 14:13. 
A monument to his memory was donated and erected by 
P. F. Eisenbrown, Sons & Co., of Reading, Pa. This was 
unveiled with appropriate ceremonies by members of the 
Board and the children of the Home on May 7, 1902. 

Mrs. Heilman had temporary charge of the Home until 
the successor could be found and showed splendid execu¬ 
tive ability. 

The Rev. J. H. Raker began his work as Superinten¬ 
dent on October 2, 1900, and served the Home faithfully 
until April 25, 1907. During his incumbency the Home 



THE CHAPEL 


was placed on a solid financial footing. He was remark¬ 
ably successful in raising funds for the support of the 
Home and the wiping-out of its indebtedness. On May 
11, 1904, he could announce that the Home was free of 
debt. He also was instrumental in raising a fund of $5,500 
for a proposed Old Folks’ Home. In the Summer of 1902 
a reservoir was constructed in the grove, to supply the 
buildings with running water. The work was a gift from 
Charles Breineiser, Sr., of Reading. The Rev. Frederick 
Holter served as Superintendent from January 1, 1908, to 
January 1, 1909. 

Rev. J. O. Henry, the pastor of the local congregation, 
served as temporary superintendent between the last two 


462 













LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

administrations, and again until he himself was called to 
the office. He took full charge July 1, 1909. His term 
thus far has been characterized by expansion in all direc¬ 
tions, and by the loving care for the spiritual, intellectual 
and physical welfare of the children committed to them, 
bestowed by a truehearted house-father and a tender and 
loving house-mother. Rev. and Mrs. Henry have found 
their God-appointed work. 

Enlargement 

On August 18, 1910, the installing of a tower clock 
and bell, the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob C. Stotter, of Potts- 



MRS. J. 0. HENRY, MATRON 


town, was completed. The years of 1910 and 1911 showed 
great progress. A two-storv building, 32 by 50 feet, to 
be known as the Annie L. Lowry Memorial Infirmary, was 
erected, at a cost of $5,500. Two-story wings, 30% by 
36% feet, and connecting halls, 18 by 36 feet, were added 
to both ends of the main building at a cost of $12,500. 
These are used for additional dormitories, school rooms and 
a chapel. The chapel, with its pretty stained glass win¬ 
dows, was completely equipped with churchly furniture by 
the Orphans’ Home Society of Trinity Lutheran Church, 
of Reading. The dedication of the chapel, infirmary and 
wings took place on Wednesday, May 24, 1911. 


463 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The sermon was preached by the Rev. E. T. Horn, D. D., 
on the text, Ps. 73:25. In 1912 an addition to the dining 
room, 25 by 30 feet, of two stories, was built at a cost of 
$2,700. In 1922 the halls connecting the main building and 
wings were enlarged to furnish play rooms, attendants' 
rooms and rooms for convalescents. 



HOLTON MEMORIAL 


The Baby Home 

A long-felt need of the Home was a building properly 
equipped for the care of infants. As such children require 
especial attention, the Board felt its inability to receive 
children under the age of three years. This need is happily 
met by the erection of a building and equipment for a Baby 
Home known as the George E. Holton Memorial Cottage 
for Infants. 

Mrs. Jessica Holton and her children, Oliver, Kathryn 
and Jessica Williams Holton, have generously erected and 
equipped this beautiful building, for the care of infant 
orphans, in loving memory of Mr. Holton. It was dedi¬ 
cated June 28, 1916. 


School House 

During the year 1917 a school building was erected. 
It is a two-story building, containing four school rooms, 


464 




LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


a supply room, a dental room and a large room in the base¬ 
ment for manual training. The building with modern im¬ 
provements and equipment costs about $15,000. The first 
sessions of school in three of the rooms were held on 
September 4, 1918. The fourth room was opened in Sep¬ 
tember, 1921, for a Junior High School. A regular music 
teacher for all the schools is employed since 1919. 



THE SCHOOLHOUSE 

The schools are held nine months in the year and do 
successful work, as evidenced by the classes each year 
passing the Township examinations by the County Super¬ 
intendent. Friends of the Home have helped some of the 
pupils to a higher education. Fifteen of the children 
graduated from the Normal School at Kutztown, and seven 
from business college. One is a student at Muhlenberg 
College. 

The Playgrounds 

In the early history of the Home a small dam was 
built in the grove about three squares away from the main 
building. It served a two-fold purpose for a number of 
years. In summer time it was a favorite place for swim¬ 
ming and in winter time for skating. 

During the spring freshet of 1919 the water washed 
away part of the breast and sides. As it was only a small 


465 














LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


dam and the children anxious for a larger place for swim¬ 
ming and skating, it was decided not to repair but instead 
build a large dam about two squares away from the Home 
buildings. All the ice needed is harvested from the new 
dam. 

In 1911 a cement bathing pool was built in the base¬ 
ment. The water is heated by steam pipes connected to 



THE SWIMMING POOL—SKATING RINK 


the laundry boiler. The pool is a donation from the Wart- 
burg Orphans’ School Band, Mt. Vernon, New York, and 
St. John’s German Lutheran Church Choir, Reading, Pa. 

A wading pond fifty feet in diameter with a fountain 
in the center was constructed between the Holton Memorial 
and the school house in 1916. This is a place where the 
smaller children have very pleasant times during the hot 
summer days wading and gradually learning to swim. It 
provides a very healthy place of amusement. 

A rustic pavilion twenty-four feet wide and ninety-six 
feet long was constructed on the south side of the boys’ 


466 












LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


playground in 1912. This gives the boys a fine place in 
rainy weather during the summer to be out doors, playing 
games, and yet not exposed to the rain. On the girls’ 
playground a pavilion twenty-six by thirty-six feet was 
built by Mr. and Mrs. Boadwee in 1919. Here they spend 
many an hour when it is real hot or raining. 

The Helpers 

At this point it is proper to say something about the 
faithful helpers in the Home, on whose efficient and un¬ 
selfish labors the smooth running of all departments de¬ 
pends. Mrs. Vesta Heilman (called Mamma Heilman by 
the former and older children in the Home,) Mrs. Sue 
Carmany, in the employ since May, 1902, (the oldest in 
time of service, a real pillar of strength), and the wives of 
the Superintendents have served faithfully as matrons. 
Ella and Emma Meyner deserve recognition as teachers 
for a number of years after their release from the Home. 

The aged cook, Maria Schaeffer, found a permanent 
home here for her declining years. She died on Jan. 5, 
1919, at the age of 75 years, having lived here 14 years, 
loved by all. Louisa Meyner took charge of the kitchen 
work in 1912, at the age of 18 years. Her careful manage¬ 
ment in this important part of the Home’s work at her age 
is to be commended. “Uncle” Daniel Link, the caretaker 
of the boys, and all-round man, will be lovingly remem¬ 
bered by many of them. John G. Dienstel has served faith¬ 
fully as truck-manager and fireman for the past 18 years. 

The Support 

The support of the Home has been derived from 
various sources. Individuals and societies have risen in 
all emergencies and for all requirements. Numerous be¬ 
quests and some endowments have furnished the means 
for expansion and maintenance. A happy inspiration was 
that of the first Superintendent to let the people know the 
needs and progress of the Home through the medium of 
a monthly paper. One of the first duties placed upon 
the Superintendent by the Board was “To publish 
the Orphans’ Home Paper monthly and distribute it 


467 








TRUSTEES, 
19 2 3 


BOARD 
O F 



468 











































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


among the people, so that our members may keep 
informed and become interested.” The first copy was 
issued in January, 1897. Its influence and popularity have 
steadily increased until now its 26th volume has a sub¬ 
scription list of 10,800. The annual Donation Day (the 
third Thursday in August) draws great crowds to the 
Home. When the cost of putting up the main building 
loomed so large before the Board, it occurred to Mr. Walter 
Bieber that an excursion to the battlefield of Gettysburg 
might be profitable to the Home. With untiring zeal he, 
with friends, worked up an excursion for Oct. 23, 1897. 
The number of passengers was 360 on the one train start¬ 
ing from Allentown. Gradually other sections were added 
until ten special trains were run every year and the num¬ 
ber of passengers reached a total of 5,000. The financial 
results of these excursions owe their success to the un¬ 
tiring labors of Mr. Bieber. They were discontinued dur¬ 
ing the w T ar and have not been resumed. 

In its infancy, when the needs were small, the Potts- 
ville Conference took upon itself to furnish the coal needed 
in the Orphanage. As the needs grew the hearts of these 
brethren and their members grew apace and they have 
not faltered in supplying most all the coal required. Scores 
of societies in as many congregations are working to supply 
the Home with money, clothing, bedding, provisions, etc. 
Prominent among these is the Topton Orphans’ Home So¬ 
ciety, organized in 1897. 

In the 25 years of its existence this Home has cared 
for 475 children. 


Board of Trustees 

The following are the trustees arranged according to 
the order of the cut: D. C. Lotz, Pres., Rev. W. O. Laub, 
Sec., J. A. Schofer, Treas., Rev. A. M. Weber (first row) ; 
A. Bendel, H. H. Reinert (second row) ; Dr. G. G. Wenrich, 
W. S. Mohr (third row) ; Rev. W. F. Deibert, Rev. Dr. M. 
L. Zweizig, Rev. C. E. Kistler, Rev. H. S. Kidd (fourth row) ; 
Rev. J. O. Henry, Supt. (center). 


469 


THE FAMILY 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS 


COUNTY 



470 







LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


^Scljtinls 

Sunday School is of comparatively recent origin. 
£1 In the brief historical sketch, prepared by Dr. Offer- 
man for the 175th anniversary of the Ministerium of 
Pennsylvania, St. John’s English Lutheran Church of Phila¬ 
delphia is given the credit of having organized the first 
Sunday School of the Synod, in 1821. Soon after this date 
it appeared in Berks County. 

Practically all the denominations represented in Read¬ 
ing participated in its first Sunday School which held its 
meetings in the Old Academy, at 7th and Chestnut streets. 
The Lutherans and Reformed withdrew from this school, 
April 5, 1829, to meet in the Major Madary Building located 
at the northwest corner of Fifth and Cherry streets. One of 
the last acts of Rev. Henry Muhlenberg, pastor of Trinity 
Church from 1803 to 1829, was the organization of the first 
purely Lutheran Sunday School in Berks County. 

About this time, Union Sunday Schools sprang up in 
Kutztown, Womelsdorf and other villages throughout the 
county. The opposition to these schools, owing largely to 
their nondescript character, was very strong. The pas¬ 
tors, who in many cases led in denouncing them, were usu¬ 
ally justified in their attitude. These schools were fre¬ 
quently independent and the methods they pursued occa¬ 
sionally reflected very seriously on the work they claimed to 
be doing. The lack of workers in this field at times necessi¬ 
tated the employment of paid superintendents. In 1854, Mr. 
Jacob Barlett, was thus employed by at least three Sunday 
Schools, which kept him busy morning, afternoon and eve¬ 
ning every Sunday. 

Although there was in most of the schools no definite 
teaching, much good was accomplished by some of them. 
In a Scripture text memorizing contest held in the Leesport 
Sunday School, a certain youth committed 914 verses in nine 
weeks to win a Bible that cost one dollar. This youth after¬ 
wards became a noted preacher in the Reformed and Episco¬ 
pal churches. The second prize was won by A. P. Body who 
is now the Nestor of Luther League and Sunday School 


471 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


workers in the Reading Conference. Similar contests in 
reading books, furnished by the American Tract Society, 
and committing hymns, were conducted. Practically the 
only text book was the New Testament, and the lesson 
period was occupied by the scholars to read in rotation, 
under the direction of the teacher, verse after verse until 
several chapters were read. 

No persistent efforts were made by Lutherans to estab¬ 
lish Sunday Schools in Berks County, until 1845, when the 
Reverend Samuel K. Brobst, who was baptized and con¬ 
firmed in the Jerusalem Church in Albany Township, entered 
upon the work under the auspices of the American Sunday 
School Union. His work, of course, embraced his home 
congregation and extended all over Berks County and far 
beyond it. The “Jugendfreund,” which he began to pub¬ 
lish in 1847, went into many Sunday Schools of that period. 
On account of the lamentable dearth of Sunday School lit¬ 
erature in his time, he prepared a little book of questions 
and answers entitled “Anfangsgruende der Religion.” In 
oral drills conducted by the superintendents this booklet 
was impressed upon the memories of thousands of young 
people. It was afterwards made the basis of the “Child’s 
Catechism” by the Reverend Doctor Matthias H. Richards, 
a native of Reading. Thus the beginnings of American Luth¬ 
eran Sunday School literature were made by men who were 
reared in the Lutheran churches of Berks County. 

From its very beginning the appeal of the Sunday 
School for admission into the churches increased until the 
latter part of the 19th century, when it became irresistible. 
The more definite program which the Graded System, edited 
by Dr. Schmauk, offered, had much to do in winning for the 
Sunday School its rightful place in the Church. 


472 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Outlier iLcat^uc 


/mrnm/HE Central Luther League of Reading and vicinity or 
il the District Luther League of Berks County, as it is 
now known, was organized in the rooms of the Young 
People’s Association of Trinity Church, Reading, on the 
evening of May 18th, 1894. 

There were four local organization represented at the 
preliminary meeting, viz: Grace Luther League, St. James’ 
Young Peoples’ Guild, St. Matthew’s Y. P. S. of C. E. and 
Trinity Young People’s Association. G. H. Huppert and J. 
C. Holloway represented Grace; William H. Parvin and Miss 
Alice Hemmig represented St. James’; John A. Garner, 
Adam Z. Haas and Miss Marie Fisher represented St. Mat¬ 
thew’s; John F. Christman, C. M. Richards, George M. 
Jones, Miss Rose Dundore and Miss Ella Roeder represented 
Trinity. 

The officers of the temporary organization were: Presi¬ 
dent, John A. Garner; secretary, George M. Jones. 

At the meeting held June 15, 1894, the following per¬ 
manent officers were elected: President, G. H. Huppert; 
first vice president, William M. Parvin; second vice presi¬ 
dent, John A. Garner; secretary, Miss Marne Fisher; treas¬ 
urer, John F. Christman. 

The first regular meeting was held on June 18th, 1894, 
in Grace Church and the first constitution was adopted at 
a meeting held on June 15, 1894. 

The report for the year 1923 shows the following mem¬ 
bership of the District: 25 senior leagues with a member¬ 
ship of 805; nine junior leagues numbering 604 members 
and two intermediate leagues with an enrollment of 136 
members, a total of 1,545. The financial report for 1921- 
1922 shows that the locals contributed for local church pur¬ 
poses $1,764.97 and for general benevolence $1,744.10 or a 
total of $3,509.07. 

Although in the past, the District has, on a number of 
occasions, contributed to the general work of the church, 
its purpose is not to raise money but rather, through its 
conventions, to stimulate liberality on the part of locals in 


473 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


their respective congregations. Its work is rather construc¬ 
tive through the extension committee and instructive 
through the executive committee. 

At first conventions were held quarterly but are now 
held semi-annually, in April and September. 

Its officers for the year 1923 are: President, Ralph G. 
Swavely; first vice president, Elmer Zieber; second vice 
president, Rev. Raymond J. Heckman; recording secretary, 
Miss Jennie Krick; corresponding secretary, Miss Dorothy 
Eidam; statistical secretary, Mrs. Ralph G. Swavely; treas¬ 
urer, A. P. Body. 

The finances for carrying on the work of the District 
are secured by per capita dues paid by the locals connected 
with it and by the offerings at its conventions. 

The forming of new local organizations and the secur¬ 
ing of funds for promoting the work of the District, State 
and National Leagues, through the prepayment of the dues 
of the locals, is done through the efforts of the veteran 
Luther Leaguer, A. P. Body, chairman of the District exten¬ 
sion committee and its treasurer. 



474 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


fffiomett’a ^isattmary Society 


/•^HIS society was organized in the chapel of Trinity 
il| church on May 13, 1896. Faithful members of Trin- 
ity, St. James, and Hope congregations of Reading 
and others from Trinity, Kutztown; Trinity, Leesport; St. 
John’s, Hamburg and St. John’s, Boyertown, came in answer 
to a call for the meeting. Mrs. H. H. Muhlenberg acted as 
temporary president and Miss Emma Endlich was the tem¬ 
porary secretary. 

It was decided that a permanent organization should be 
formed. The adoption of a constitution was followed by the 
election of officers with the result as follows: President, 
Mrs. Jerome Boyer; vice President, Mrs. F. K. Bernd; re*- 
cording secretary, Miss Emma Endlich; corresponding sec¬ 
retary, Mrs. William Murphy; treasurer, Miss Sue Boyer. 

The first annual convention was held in Trinity, Read¬ 
ing, on May 5, 1897. The receipts for the year were $77.36. 
Mrs. Samuel Laird of Philadelphia addressed the meeting 
on Medical Missions and presented plans for the publication 
of a proposed missionary magazine to be known as “The 
Mission Worker.’’ Miss Emma Endlich was afterwards the 
editor of this magazine and Miss Nora Iaeger, also of Read¬ 
ing, was the business manager. This magazine has since 
been merged with “The Lutheran Woman’s Work’’ pub¬ 
lished under the supervision of the United Lutheran Church. 
There are about 300 subscribers to this magazine within the 
bounds of the Reading Conference. 

Ever since its organization the work of the Society has 
extended into all the foreign fields approved by the United 
Lutheran Church, helping particularly in Zenana, Medical, 
Educational and Industrial work. Home and Inner Missions, 
West India Missions and Church Extension all receive their 
proportionate support. 

The aim of the Society is World Wide Missions. 

The Women’s Missionary Society hopes to establish 
congregational societies in at least every parish of the 
Reading Conference. 


475 





LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


The growth both numerically and financially has been 
steady. At the present time the Conference Society is com¬ 
posed of eighteen Senior Congregational Societies with a 
membership of 660. There are also ten Junior Societies 
with a membership of 330. 

The receipts for the year 1922-1923 totaled 33,854.87. 

The officers at present are the following: President, 
Mrs. Edgar A. Krauss; vice-president, Mrs. S. A. Knabb; 
recording secretary, Mrs. William Fegley; statistical secre¬ 
tary, Mrs. James Shaner; treasurer, Mrs. Frank Bitting. 



FATHER HEYER, VETERAN MISSIONARY 


476 






LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Srotlm'ljoob 


& 


T A meeting of the joint Lutheran Church Councils 
of Reading held in Alsace Lutheran Church in June, 
1920, the Reverend Charles L. Fry,eastern field sec¬ 
retary of the Lutheran Brotherhood of the United Lutheran 
Church addressed the councilmen on the work being done 
by the Brotherhood, and pointed out the merits of such an 
organization in the Reading Conference district. A com¬ 
mittee consisting of Theo. C. Abele, George M. Jones, Robert 
L. Strohecker and William J. Frederick was appointed to 
take up the organization of Brotherhoods in the various 
congregations. On September 21, 1920, Mr. Harry B. Ger¬ 
hart, the western field secretary of the Brotherhood in tour¬ 
ing the east addressed a large men’s meeting in Trinity 
Church, Reading; at which time resolutions were adopted, 
that an organization would be formed of all Lutheran Men’s 
organizations to be known as the Associated Lutheran 
Brotherhoods of Berks County on Luther’s Birthday on 
November 10th, 1920. A meeting was held on that day and 
was attended by representatives from many of our congre¬ 
gations, some organizations attending in a body; one in par¬ 
ticular having over a hundred men in their representation. 
Enthusiasm ran high and after forming a permanent organ¬ 
ization the following officers were elected to serve for one 
year, viz: President, Theo. C. Abele; vice president, Prof. S. 
P. Dietrick; secretary, Chas. M. Shully; treasurer, Gilbert 
Snyder; and an executive committee consisting of the offi¬ 
cers and George M. Jones, William J. Frederick and Robert 
L. Strohecker. 

The first year’s work was very gratifying, and at the 
end of the year eleven active Brotherhoods had organized 
for the work. Through the activity of this organization 
the Laymen’s Meeting of Synod was invited to meet with 
the Associated Brotherhood during the meeting of Synod 
in Reading in June, 1921. This proved a very interesting 
meeting as the main topic of discussion was the Brother¬ 
hood. Out of this meeting grew the very efficient Brother¬ 
hood of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, through a corn- 


477 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

mittee named by the chairman of the Laymen’s Meeting. 
This committee consisted of James M. Snyder, of Philadel¬ 
phia; Theo C. Abele, of Reading and Capt. H. M. M. Rich¬ 
ards, of Lebanon and the officers of Synod. This latter 
organization also had its birth within the Reading Con¬ 
ference as the convention for organization was held in Trin¬ 
ity Church, Reading, Pa., on December 6, 1921. 

The Associated Brotherhoods hold semi-annual meet¬ 
ings and are addressed by the leaders of the church. The 
meetings to date have been addressed by: Prof. Chas. M. 
Jacob; Prof. Horn; Harry B. Gerhart; Dr. Chas. L. 
Fry; Rev. F. G. Gotwald; and Rev. Z. M. Corbe. These 
meetings are always inspiring and uplifting to all who 
attend. The Brotherhoods have been a valuable asset to 
the pastors and congregations of which they are a part. 
The every member canvass has to a large degree been made 
a comparatively easy task through Brotherhood co-opera¬ 
tion. Great activity among the laymen has been fostered 
through their acquaintance with their fellow workers of 
other congregations by the touch received from Brother¬ 
hood associations. The present officers are: President, John 
O. Haines; secretary, Ralph G. Swavely; treasurer, Gilbert 
Snyder; and an executive committee made up of the officers 
and the presidents of the various congregational Brother¬ 
hoods. 



478 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


(Ll]c floral Itmtljeran (Clptrrl] a nil tlfe 

(£I}urci| at |Cargc 

^9^0 0 WRITE intelligently about the influence of the 
il Lutheran Church in the City of Reading and in the 
County of Berks on the church at large is impossible, 
because of the bigness of the task and the lack of omnis¬ 
cience on the part of our historians and statisticians. The 
writer is amazed, simply amazed, in his larger contacts with 
the men and women of the Lutheran Church to find how 
many of them can trace their Lutheran heritage to Berks 
County homes and local Lutheran congregations. This 
applies in large measure to our great and leading cities for 
the Pennsylvania German possesses several qualities which 
are distinctive and spell success. He is loyal to truth and 
tradition and as a rule he seeks out his church wherever he 
goes. He is ambitious. That is why he migrates to the 
cities—and assumes a conspicuous place in business and at 
church. He is thrifty. That is why, financially speaking, 
he often becomes a tower of strength to the congregation 
with which he associates. Day after day we receive letters 
from all over the United States asking us to trace the ances¬ 
try of Lutheran forebears. 

In speaking of the local church and the church at large 
it is well to bear in mind that when rationalism and loose 
methods and disjointed services swept through the Luth¬ 
eran Church in the wake of similar movements in other 
churches, it was at Reading in the year 1866 that the work of 
reconstruction was undertaken by representatives of Luth¬ 
eran Synods in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, 
Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Canada and New York. There 
were also members of the Norwegian Synod present. These 
delegates assembled in “Old Trinity” at the invitation of the 
“Old Ministerium of Pennsylvania”, the “Mother Synod” to 
discuss the foundation and formation of a General Lutheran 
Body on a strictly confessional basis. The General Council 
born at Reading in the cold December days of 1866 has come 
and gone. The delegates to that first meeting represented a 


479 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


constituency of 893 ministers, 1612 congregations and over 
200,000 communicants, a constituency that kept on grow¬ 
ing until 1918 when it was merged with other bodies into 
the United Lutheran Church. It can not be denied that the 
General Council was in itself a very essential contribution 
to the continued existence of the Lutheran Church in Amer¬ 
ica. Its influence will continue to live and it will mould, 
through its documentary history and its life-giving spirit, 
the church of today and tomorrow. It will ever be a mem¬ 
orial to our Lutheran forefathers in this territory, this will¬ 
ingness of theirs to launch out into the deep of controversial 
uncertainty because of the consciousness of the rightness of 
their confessional faith. 

Less than three years after the organization of the 
General Council at Trinity Church, a second momentous 
decision affecting the church as a whole was to be arrived 
at in this now historic edifice. The Ministerium of Penn¬ 
sylvania and Adjacent States, then known as the German 
Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania and Ad¬ 
jacent States, was holding its 122nd annual meeting at Trin¬ 
ity during Trinity week of 1869 when unexpectedly Father 
C. F. Heyer, the 77-year-old veteran in Foreign Mission 
work appeared, having traveled all the way from Germany, 
his temporary home because of a disquieting bit of news 
which he had heard. It so happened that the Foreign Mis¬ 
sionary Society of the General Synod had actually begun 
negotiations with the Church Missionary Society of England 
looking toward the transfer of the Rajahmundry mission to 
that society. Father Heyer brought with him one of two 
young men ready to go out to India, the other could not get 
ready in time but awaited orders in Germany. Father 
Heyer pleaded earnestly for the continuation of the work 
so near to his heart. We quote from the volume on “The 
Telugu Mission” by Drach and Kuder and from the minutes 
of the Ministerium in the following: 

“Reaching the climax of his plea and holding up his 
traveling bag, he (Father Heyer) said that he was ready to 
go at a moment’s notice, if the synod wished it, even though 
he was seventy-seven years old and it would be his third 
journey to India, in order that he might direct his younger 


480 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


brethren in the reorganization of the mission work. As a 
result of his plea, a special committee appointed for the pur¬ 
pose submitted the following resolutions: 

“Whereas a report has reached us that it is proposed 
to transfer the mission stations at Rajahmundry and Samul- 
kot in India to the Church Missionary Society of England, 
and 




‘Whereas we learn from a report of the proceedings of 
the General Synod’s Missionary Society at Washington, that 
a transfer of these mission stations to another interest was 
referred to its Foreign Mission Board with power to act as 
in their judgment they should deem most advisable, and 

“Whereas this Synod originally established the India 
mission and sustained the same successfully for many 
years; therefore, 

“Be it resolved that we most solemnly protest against 
the transfer of the Mission to any other than a Lutheran 
Missionary Society, and 

“Resolved, that the Rev. JC. F. Heyer be requested to 
lay this protest before the Foreign Mission Board of the 
General Synod, and 

“Resolved, that the Executive Committee be authorized 

• 

to take such action in consultation with the Committee on 
Foreign Missions of the General Council as they deem 
proper.” 

The Executive Committee of the Ministerium met on 
August 27, 1869, in Trinity Church, Reading, and accepted 
the transfer of the Rajahmundry mission, formally offered 
by the Foreign Missionary Society and called Revs. Heyer, 
Schmidt and Becker as the Ministerium’s foreign mission¬ 
aries. 


It was thus that a great calamity was averted and the 
fruits of the labors of Father Heyer were conserved. 

It is interesting to note in passing that the question of 
church benevolences was seriously discussed and certain 
plans were drawn up at this same meeting of the Minister¬ 
ium in Reading, which looked toward the every member 
canvass and the principle of stewardship. We have gone a 
long way since that day in which the fathers sought to 
have every member contribute one cent a week toward bene- 


481 



































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


volences. This discussion is of double interest to the mem¬ 
bers of today in view of the fact that the Reading Confer¬ 
ence is today a testing station in which the members of the 
Conference have taken it upon themselves to try out experi¬ 
ments which if successful will materially increase the con¬ 
tributions of the church at large for benevolent purposes. 
These experiments in personal visitation and explanation 
have already materially advanced the cause of the King¬ 
dom both at home and abroad. 

The experiments now being carried on in the Reading 
Conference are not limited to the obtaining of material re¬ 
sults. A Conference in which there has been a great deal 
of congregational zeal but little real team work is gradually 
being welded under the direction of an able administrator as 
President into a splendid unit. This unity was shown in the 
fine celebration of the Four Hundredth Anniversary of the 
Reformation at the Reading Fair Grounds in 1917. It has 
since had an opportunity to manifest itself in the 175th 
Anniversary of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania held at 
Reading in 1923. The remarkably fine setting forth of the 
mission of the United Lutheran Church in America by the 
President of the United Lutheran Church came as the cli¬ 
max of a celebration which indicated the strength of the 
church and its possibilities. The Reading Conference will 
always have just cause to feel proud of having furnished the 
background and the incentive for that speech. 



BERKS HALL AT MUHLENBERG COLLEGE 


484 














































































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


(Herman Settlers JWufae 3[artber 3utu the 
lllilbmu'ss of |JemisuKmnta 

From Hallische Nachrichten translated from the German 
by Jonathan Oswald, 1879, Volume 2, Page 48 

3 N THE month of March (1747) I (Henry Melchior 
Muhlenberg) made a journey to the Northwestern 
mountains (Albany township, Berks county), fifty 
English miles from Providence. Many German people live 
there poorly and scantily, and have want in both spiritual 
and bodily nourishment. As several of our poor members 
moved to that place, and called to mind their divine service, 
they invited me to pay them a visit. Many grow wild, and 
no longer value churches and schools. Others employ such 
men who have set themselves up as preachers. Others still 
seek something edifying, and will have nothing to do with 
the self-constituted preachers, but fall on the other side, and 
attach themselves to the Herrnhuter (Moravians) of Beth¬ 
lehem. My former hearers several times before sent men 
to me and asked for help. As I at this time had the assis¬ 
tant, Mr. Kurtz (John Nicholas Kurtz) with me, I sent him 
up several times, and through my father-in-law, (Conrad 
Weiser) secured a little land from the proprietor (the Penn 
family) for a church (land warrant dated April 11, 174G). 
On this land they were to build a wooden school-house or 
church. If in time they became able to keep a school-master, 
the children would thus first be assisted somewhat. The 
school-master was to read for them on Sundays, and I would 
visit them once or several times a year. It seemed as if they 
would for the most part agree, and approve of the proposal. 
They also began to build a wooden church. In the mean¬ 
time, the Herrnhuter from Bethlehem diligently visited 
the place, drew those to them who were the richest, and 
persuaded them that they were the genuine Lutherans; also 
celebrated the Holy Supper with them according to the Luth¬ 
eran mode, and sent a brother with his family to the fam¬ 
ilies won over, who was to teach school. The other party 
seeing this, became exasperated, and employed reproachful 


485 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


expressions, and on this account the third party also with¬ 
drew. Now, though they had commenced to build the 
church, there has been no progress made, and the building- 
begun stands there roofless until this day. Those inclined 
to the Herrnhuter are willing and able to finish the building, 
but on this condition, that it must be a Brethren church; 
but to this I did not consent, as the land is yet in my hand, 
and I have hope in time to help the poor Lutherans with 
their building. 

At present I see no possibility of aiding such a ruined 
and distracted multitude, and of effecting an improvement, 
until the Lord provides me with means and ways, as yet 
unknown. On my present visit, I preached there, baptized 
several children, and exhorted my former members to a 
diligent reading of the Holy Scriptures and prayer; and on 
their suppliant entreaty and petition, I administered the 
Holy Supper to two aged people, whose children have asso¬ 
ciated themselves with the Herrnhuter, whereat they 
secretly wept, and received the Holy Supper in deepest 
reverence of heart, and promised to remain faithful to their 
only Shepherd of Souls, Jesus Christ, in life, in suffering, 
and in death. 

This church building is what is known as the Alle- 
maengel, Jerusalem or Red church, in Albany township, 
Berks county, Pa. On April 11, 1746, the proprietor issued 
a land warrant to Henry Melchior Muhlenberg for 50 acres 
in Philadelphia county, “adjoining the Lands of Andreas 
Folks and Michael Kigler, Situate above Maxatawny.” 

GERMAN SETTLERS MOVE FARTHER INTO THE 
WILDERNESS OF PENNSYLVANIA 

From Hallische Nachrichten translated from the German 
by Jonathan Oswald, 1879, Volume 2, Page 51. 

/mmurHE reason we (Henry Melchior Muhlenberg and assis- 
L\\ tants) are invited to go to a distance, here and there 
are the following: Our German Evangelical inhabi¬ 
tants, for the most part came the latest into this province. 
The English and German Quakers, the Inspired, Mennonites, 
Separatists, and other such small sects, came in first when 
the land was still very cheap. Those selected for themselves 

486 


L U T II ERANS I N 15 E R K S C 0 U N T Y 


the best and richest tracts of land, and are now enriched. 
But in later years, after the poor Evangelicals also found 
the way, and numerously came into this country also, some 
perhaps here and there still found some good land. Most 
of them, however, had to serve for several years for their 
passage as men-servants and maid-servants, and afterwards 
shift with the poor land, and eat their bread in the copious 
sweat of their brows. At length, also, not even poor land 
was any more to be had; therefore the poor rented the 
superfluous land from the rich. But the rich raised their 
rents so high that the poor were unable to bear it. There¬ 
fore they removed still farther away, into the wild thickets. 
Those who still had somewhat of their own got other fam¬ 
ilies, who were also obliged to remove further, to move with 
them. Those who were in our congregations for a time, 
and from necessity had to go further, into the still unculti¬ 
vated wilderness, sometimes wrote the most affecting let¬ 
ters, and bewailed their hunger after the Word of God. They 
also tell their neighbors how good it once was with them, 
and desire to hear once more words of life in the desert 
where there is not water. I have noticed that within the 
live years of my stay here, scarcely one-half of the first 
members of the country congregations are left. The other 
half is in part in eternity; most of them, however, moved 
away from forty to one hundred English miles, to the bor¬ 
ders of Pennsylvania, to Maryland and to Virginia. In the 
meanwhile, the congregations did not decrease, but much 
more increased, as still more Germans arrived every year, 
and those remaining settled their children around them as 
far as they could find room and sustenance. But some too 
are perhaps wont to remove from our region, who have a 
disgust and are displeased with our churches and schools, 
and would rather live in darkness, where their works are 
not reproved by the light. In this manner, we preachers 
far and near, must pass through honor and shame, through 
evil and good report; but rejoice in this, when the gospel is 
spread abroad and the name of the Lord is made known, and 
we long: “0 that the evening come, when it shall be so light, 
and the bright lustre of the Spirit render us very compliant 
to Thee. Yea, what more? That I might hear within, the 
night is past!” 


487 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


(Uyptcal Jijront plages of (©if) (Elinrcij Records 

Jerusalem Church (Allemaengel) 

In Albany Township. 

Church Record 

ANIEL Schumacher Evangelischer Lutherischer 
*A\ J Prediger ITabe dasz Kirchen Buch Eingerichtet, der 
Herr Pfarrer Mr. Tobias Wagner Hat sie eingeseg- 
net und ist in Deutschland Wieder Gezogen. So findet sich 
niclits Von Kindern die getauft als Von mir Wie steht nach 
ihm. 

Kirchen Buch vor die in Albany in Allemaengel erbau- 
ete Lutherische Kirche darin auch denen Reformirten er- 
laubet ist Gottes Dienst zu halten zu ordentlich zeit. 

Erbaut Anno 1768. 

Bethel Church (New Allemaengel) 

In Albany Township. 

Church Record. 

Kirchen Buch vor die vereinigte Protestantische Luth- 
erisch und Reformirte Gemeinde, Allemaengele, Pennsyl¬ 
vania. 

Anno Domini 1771, den 20ten Mey. 

Daniel Schumacher. 

Auf den 18ten Sontag Nach Trinitas Wurde der grund 
geleget zu einer Neue Kirche in Pcnsylvanien im Jahr des 
Herrn 1770 in dem Township Albany oder Allemaengele der 
Caunty bergs. 

Auf dem Heiligen Pfingst Mon tag 1771 den 20sten May 
Ward die Neue Kirch alsz ein Gottes Hausz Vor Beide Ge- 
meinden Lutherische und Reformirte Eingesegnet. 

New Bethel Church 
In Albany Township 

Church Record. 

Tauff und Kirchen buch in unserer Kirch im rosen 
Tahl in albany Dschieb 1761. Haben wir den grunt stein 


488 



LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


gelehget Den 11 nohfember beininer Dank und bet stunte 
samt einer pretig aus dem propheten Mallachia und ist Er- 
bauet in friete und Einig Keit. 

Zion's Lutheran Church (Moselem) 

In Richmond Township 

Church Record. 

Church Book for the Community at Ontelaunee com¬ 
menced The 1st Jany 1741. 

St. Paul’s Church 
In Windsor Township 

Church Record. 

Thauf und Kirchen Buch vor die Windsor gemeinde 
in und am Blauen Berg. Welche ist eingeweihet worden 
vom HI. Pfarrer Dangel Schumacher in binsel fania den 6, 
May 1756. The first congregation was known as Libanon 
Church. 


Zion’s Church 

In Perry Township 

Church Record. 

Kirchen Buch 
oder 

Protocoil 
bey der 
Evangelischen 

(so wohl Lutherischen als Reformirten) 

Gemeinde in Winsor Taunschib 

in der Grafschaftt Bercks 

und Provintz Pensilvanien gelegen. 

Zion’s Church (Blue Mountain) 

In Upper Tulpehocken Township 

Church Record. 

Tauff Buch vor die Gemeinde an den Blauen Bergen, an 
der North Kiel: Dolbenhacken Thaunschib Bercks Caunti: 
Heut dado 21ten may: 1767. 


489 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Beclaratton a rib JVgmment ( STrmtslation) 

Proclaimed by the members of the Evangelical Lutheran 

Congregation in Heidelberg Township (St. Daniel’s) 

probably in 1753 

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. 

INCE, through God’s gracious providence and kind 
GS) guidance, we have come from our old fatherland in 
Europe to America into tnis province of Pennsyl¬ 
vania, where we were received as subjects of our gracious 
King George II, and under whose most gracious scepter and 
sway, in addition to many other privileges and favors, we 
have the precious freedom of conscience, by virtue of which 
we are permitted to perform our regular worship, without 
disturbance and annoyance, according to our rules and regu¬ 
lations, and are also permitted to instruct ourselves and our 
children in the doctrines of God’s word; consequently, from 
a motive of gratitude to God, esteem for our forefathers, 
and duty which we owe to ourselves, our children, and later 
generations, it shall be our great endeavor to preserve 
among us and posterity our pure and saving doctrine 
founded on God’s word conformably to the original Augs¬ 
burg Confession, etc., that we and those after us may have 
and keep a safe and sure way through this world of sorrow, 
through want and death, to eternal salvation. 

In view of this, we, the deacons, elders, and members of 
the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Heidelberg Town¬ 
ship, in the county of Reading, have made known our desire 
to the venerable Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium in Penn¬ 
sylvania and petitioned that body to provide us with a faith¬ 
ful teacher and at the same time to receive our congregation 
into its union. 

Now, then, the said venerable Ministerium has granted 
our petition and request and sent to us a faithful teacher 
(one who by the grace of God was seeking a field of labor), 
viz., John Nicholas Kurtz, at the time pastor at Tulpehocken, 
who was willing and ready to serve us, having commenced 
his labors near the close of 1750, and subsequently, in 1751, 
laid the corner-stone of our new church which is to be 
erected. 


490 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Since, then, God is a God of order and also directs that 
all things be done decently and in order, but as there has 
been no formal organization in our congregation, and be¬ 
cause of an evident necessity for such, we have agreed upon 
and adopted the articles hereinafter mentioned, which shall 
remain in force until amended and in accordance with which 
we will act and conduct the affairs of our congregation in 
the future. 

1. No person shall be considered a member of this 
congregation who is not willing to have his name recorded 
in this church book; but such action is not intended for his 
harm or for the restriction of his liberty, but only for the 
purpose of good order and regularity. 

2. Such a self-willed person shall not be served by our 
teacher, neither shall his children be baptized nor he be 
allowed at holy communion. 

3. Every year, or as often as necessary, two (2) dea¬ 
cons shall be elected from the members of the church by a 
majority of the votes. 

4. Such deacons shall be honest, free from coarse, pre¬ 
vailing sins and vices, and such as have good judgment. 

5. At the election of such new deacons, the old dea¬ 
cons shall make settlement and shall deliver to the new 
deacons the accounts and money as well as the other church 
effects. 

6. The deacons shall keep a watchful eye on the mem¬ 
bers of the congregation, and admonish such as lead dis¬ 
orderly lives, or inform the pastor so that such may be ad¬ 
monished and put in mind of their ways, especially at com¬ 
munion time. 

7. Such as live in manifest deeds of the flesh shall 
not be considered members of the congregation until after 
thorough repentance and improvement. 

8. All members irregular in life and behavior shall be 
dealt with according to the teachings and directions of our 
Lord Jesus Christ,—Matthew 18. 

9. Each and every member of the congregation shall 
state and at the same time subscribe the amount of money 
that he wishes to give each year for the support of the 


491 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


preacher, and at the end of the year hand such to the 
deacons. 

10. No strange preacher shall be allowed to preach 
in our church, much less administer the sacrament, without 
previous announcement by our regular pastor and deacons. 

11. We will not concede that our preacher of his own 
accord shall make an innovation or regulation without the 
agreement of the entire ministerial association (Synod). 

12. Our congregation together with that at Tulpe- 
hocken shall be supplied by the regularly appointed and or¬ 
dained pastors of that place. 

13. We desire uniform church ceremonies with the 
united congregations. 

14. As our Evangelical Lutheran Church will be 
greatly benefited and promoted by the church conventions 
(meetings of synod) to be held every year or as often as 
necessary, with a view to good and needful results, by the 
venerable Ministerium (Synod) of Pennsylvania, on which 
occasions the affairs of the congregation will be taken up 
and handled, we approve of such plan and arrangement not 
only as being commendable but also as being beneficial and 
necessary, and we shall be pleased to send at all times our 
pastors in addition to a delegate (properly authorized one), 
who shall represent our congregation there and aid and 
advise in promoting all favorable and useful measures. 

Note.—This declaration is then followed by thirty-five 
names opposite which are the respective amounts pledged 
to the support of the pastor varying from two shillings, six 
pence to one pound. 



(Kobe of 1743 


Rules Governing the Church School 


/•■✓HE following thirteen regulations give the substance 
ll of a lengthy agreement concluded at Tulpehocken on 
February 27, 1743 or 1744 and witnessed by twelve 
interested parties. The original to be found in the Moravian 
Archives at Bethlehem. Similar rules governed the early 
schools throughout the county. 


492 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

1. The children of others besides members of the con¬ 
gregation may be admitted. 

2. All such must apply to the teacher for admission. 

3. The schoolmaster is to be thanked and notified be¬ 
fore the withdrawal of pupils. 

4. Pupils are to some and go in good order and are not 
to be absent except when necessary. 

5. It is the teacher’s duty to investigate where schol¬ 
ars do not attend promptly and regularly. 

6. The teacher and parents are to co-operate so that 
there may be progress and success instead of failure. 

7. The Small Catechism of Luther is to be used in 
instruction. 

a. It is to be made plain by the teacher. 

b. Scripture Texts and hymns are to be com¬ 
mitted to memory. 

c. The text books prescribed for language are the 
primer and reader issued by the University of Jena. 

d. Advanced readers are to use the Bible. 

e. Pupils shall be taught to write. 

f. They shall also be taught to read what they 
have written. 

g. As much arithmetic is to be taught as is needed 
by a Plantage Man. 

8. Pupils are to be industrious and polite. 

9. Unruly scholars are to be sharply reproved by the 
teacher. If this is not effectual the teacher is to bring the 
matter before the parents and if this does not avail the 
trouble is to be taken up in the presence of the deacons. 
Caution—Larger scholars should by all means be first pri¬ 
vately admonished. 

10. These rules are also to apply to the evening 
schools. 

11. Deacons ought to visit the school. 

12. Especially should scholars going to and coming 
from school be well behaved. If there is disorder it must 
be stopped. 


493 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


13. When the congregation has a pastor of its own, 
chief supervision of the school belongs to him. 

Note.—Teachers at this time were paid about twenty- 
five cents per pupil per term of several months. In addition 
they received about twenty-five dollars per year for acting 
as organist, half of which was paid in produce at market 
prices. They dwelled in one end of the school house, rent 
free, and were given sufficient firewood, and feed for one 
cow. In one instance where the teacher wanted to keep a 
horse he agreed to perform all his duties faithfully and in 
addition to cultivate the few acres of ground (which was 
the duty of the members) and keep the fences in repair if 
the congregation would give him one bushel of oats and one 
or more bundles of straw to keep his horse. 

ifardtu'U to ^Missionary J?rbult=r 

On the Departure from Halle, June 22, 1765, 
of the right noble highly learned gentleman, 

REV. CHRISTOPHER EMANUEL SCHULZE, 

Pastor-elect of the Christian Congregation in Philadelphia, 

in Pennsylvania, 

Their dearest, beloved Friend. 

A few of His 

Good Friends and Fellow Citizens 
Accompanied him with their best wishes and commended 
themselves to his friendly regard. 

Translated by the late Miss Margaretta C. Ermentraut, 

Reading, Pa. 

jC'RIEND, so the German Empire hath no charm for 

Jj thee, 

So thou dost hate the tame European plains 
And choosest—oh brief time that we with thee so sweetly 
passed, 

Where art thou gone?—and choosest Columbus’ trail 
On the wild ocean to pursue! 

Oh, could we but this once in Horatian spirit, 

Raise our song in that poet’s pictures 
To paint the perilousness of the untried sea, 


494 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


Surely we would attempt it—we would hold thee back, 

And our heartfelt desire, the future to enjoy 

Perhaps might move thee—yet (’twould be but) a quickly 

fleeting happiness. 

Can it be then that out of selfishness we’d rob 
That people, who so earnestly have plead for him, 

Whom from us the hand of Providence hath taken away, 
Whom they themselves have for their service chosen? 

No, though our friend our wishes dsappoints, 

Yet would we not this fault ourselves allow 

That Philadelphia’s happiness, which of our friend deprives 

us, 

Less than our own we'd treasure. 

When Jehovah’s glory in the teacher’s word disclosed, 
Then shall, tho’ far removed, our friend doubly delight us. 
So follow then, 0 friend, the voice that calls, 

Calls thee, like Abraham, to leave the Fatherland, 

Calls thee to feed a flock that once in darkness slept 
And sacrificed to idols, which they, now Christians, hate. 

So toward the glorious hope, Jehovah points thee to, 

Go the bleak sea with confidence across. 

The stormwind’s howling threats are stilled 
Soon as their Lord commands, “here shall they rest 
Those proud waves of thy might.” 

The nature smiles—and they that carry out his Word, 

The winds in that same night driving away the gloomy 

clouds, 

To Nature's great Creator, to God, who on the storm 

In kingly chariot rideth. 

l r ea, only to the vile, rash scoffer, 

Who of Religion and its worth knows naught, 

Is this fathomless pathway of Ocean a terror. 

Not to him whom the Eternal calls to his own service, 

Him will he, he hath promised, cover with his Tabernacle, 
And angels ’round about him shall encamp. 

We see them, the great mighty host 

On the sea, friend, the wall of God around thee rear 

And by the same announced each day, 

“Conduct this friend of God safely to Philadelphia.” 
Jehovah calls, on that solemn festive day, 


495 


LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


“Lovest thou me,” and thou sayest, “Yea,” 

The sublime, godlike question he repeats, 

“Lovest thou me,” and thou sayest, “Yea,” 

Then thy Saviour leads—what happiness— 

Thee to his flock—“so feed 

For me these my sheep faithfully”— 

So go, blest friend, with confidence from here: 

Be on thy path the light, ornament to thy office. 

And bless to thee all future hours; 

(The greatest happiness that ever mortal can attain). 

Be happy, fare thee well, remember us, 

This shall be, take yet the wish of friendship graciously, 
This shall be for us, 0 friend, the highest happiness. 

Note.—Rev. Schulze after serving as second pastor in 
Philadelphia for five years came to Berks County and 
served here for the remainder of his life viz. thirty-eight 
years of pastoral service. He died in 1809 and is buried at 
stouchsburg. 



496 





Snbex 

Pastors not listed. Find name and places of service in “Brief Life Sketches’’ 
(Alphabetical Order) pp. 390-440 or in “Pastors 1701-1923“ (Chronological Order) 
pp. 379-386. 

AGREEMENT, DECLARATION AND . 490 

ALLEGHENY’S, ALLEGHENYVILLE . 158 

ALLEGHENYYILLE, ALLEGHENY’S . 158 

ALLEMAENGEL, NEW FRIEDEN’S . 116 

ALSACE, READING . 35 

ALTALAHA, REHRERSBURG .. 312 

AMITYVILLE, ATHOL P. 0., ST. PAUL'S . 41 

ANTIQUES . 4 

ATHOL P. 0., AMITYVILLE, ST. PAUL’S' . 41 

ATONEMENT, WYOMISSING . 348 

BECHTELSYILLE, TRINITY . 59 

BECKER’S ST. PETER’S . 156 

BELLEMAN’S, SALEM .••. 100 

BERKS COUNTY, MAP OF . 12 

BERKS COUNTY, SKETCH OF . 9 

BERN, BERN TWP.• . 61 

BERNVILLE. FRIEDENS . 96 

BETHANY, STONY CREEK MILLS . 369 

BERNVILLE. ST. THOMAS’ . 378 

BETHANY, WEST READING . 23 4 

BETHEL, NEW, GRIMSVILLE . 107 

BETHEL, SALEM, [MILLERSBURG] . 296 

BIRDSBORO ST. MARK’S . 64 

BLANDON, MAIDEN CREEK . 129 

BOWERS, TRINITY . 71 

BOYERTOWN, ST. JOHN’S . 91 

BROTHERHOOD .>. 477 

BLUE MOUNTAIN, STRAUSSTOWN . 286 

CALVARY, LAURELDALE [ROSEDALE] . 353 

CHRIST, GLENSIDE .. ._ 367 

CHRIST, JEFFERSON TWP. 298 

CHRIST, OLEY . 220 

CHRIST, ROCKLAND TWP. 319 

CHRIST, STOUCHSBURG . 305 

CHRIST, YOCUM’S . 238 

CHURCH RECORDS . 488 

CORNER CHURCH, ST. DANIEL'S . 333 

CUMRU, CUMRU TWP. 443 

DECLARATION AND AGREEMENT . 490 


499 










































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


DOUGLASSYILLE, [ MOLATTON] . ** L 

DRYYILLE CHURCH, ROCKLAND TWP. 319 

DUNKEL’S, NEW JERUSALEM . 111 

EMANUEL’S, HAMBURG . 444 

EPLER’S, BERN TWP. 145 

FAITH, MT. PENN, READING . 167 

FLEETWOOD, ST. PAUL’S . 325 

FRIEDENS, BERNVILLE .* *. 96 

FRIEDEN’S, FRIEDENSBURG, OLEY P. 0. 49 

FRIEDEN’S, LENHARTSVILLE . *275 

FRIEDEN’S, SHARTLESVILLE . *291 

FRIEDEN’S, WICKLEIN’S, ROBESON TWP. 445 

FOREST, ROBESON ./. 253 

FRIEDENSBURG, OLEY P. O. FHIEDEN’S . 49 

GEIGERS” MILLS, ST. JAMES* . 68 

GEIGERTOWN, ST. JAMES’ . 68 

GENERAL SYNOD CHURCHES [FORMER] . 361 

GERNANT’S, ST. JOHN’S . 139 

GIBRALTAR, ST. JOHN’S . 257 

GOUGLERSVILLE, TRINITY . 165 

GRACE, READING . 175 

GRACE, SHILLINGTON. 250 

GRIMSVILLE, NEW BETHEL—ZION. 107 

HAMBURG, EMANUEL’S . 444 

ST. JOHN’S . 121 

HEREFORD, HUFF’S . 76 

HILL, ST. JOSEPH’S . 184 

HINNERSCHITZ, MUHLENBERG TWP. 147 

HOLY SPIRIT, READING . 179 

HOPE, READING .• •. 182 

HOST, ST. JOHN’S . 337 

HUFF’S HEREFORD . 76 

JERUSALEM, ALBANY TWP. 355 

KISSINGER’S SPRING TWP. 218 

KUTZTOWN, ST. JOHN’S . 126 

TRINITY, . 132 

LAURELDALE, CALVARY . 363 

LEESPORT, TRINITY . 363 

LEESPORT, TRINITY . 136 

LENHARTSVILEE, FRIEDEN’S . 275 

LITTLE TULPEHOCKEN, CHRIST . . • •. 298 

LOBACHSVILLE, ST. PAUL’S .(. 189 

LONG SWAMP . 81 

LUTHERAN CHURCH (LOCAL) AND AT LARGE. 4 79 

LUTHERAN GRAPHS . 7 

LUTHER LEAGUE . 473 

LUTHER, MARTIN . 387 

MAIDEN CREEK, BLANDON . l2 g 


500 




















































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


MAXATAWNY, ZION'S . 

MERTZ, ROCKLAND TWP. 

MERTZTOWN, ST. PAUL'S . 

MILLBACH, ST. PAUL’S . 

MILLERSBURG, SALEM . . . ;. 

MOHNTON, ST. JOHN'S . 

MOLATTON (DOUGLASSVILLE) . 

MOSELEM, ZION'S . 

MT. AETNA, ST. JOHN'S. 

MT. PENN, FAITH .• •. 

MUHLENBERG, F. A. C. 

G. H. E. 

HENRY M. 

J. P. G. 

NEW BERN, BERN TOWNSHIP . 

NEW BETHEL. ALBANY TOWNSHIP . 

NEW BETHEL-ZION, GRIMSVILLE . 

NEW FRIEDEN'S, ALLEMAENGEL . 

NEW JERUSALEM, DUNKEL'S . 

NEW JERUSALEM, ROCKLAND TOWNSHIP. 

NEWMANSTOWN, ST. ELIAS . 

NORTH HEIDELBERG . 

OAKBROOK, REDEEMER . 

OLEY, CHRIST . 

OLEY P. O., FRIEDEN'S .. 

ORPHANS’ HOME, TOPTON . 

PARISH REGISTER . 

PASTORS, BRIEF SKETCHES OF . 

CHRONOLOGICAL ARRANGEMENT 

PEACE, RIVERSIDE . 

PLEASANTVILLE, ST. JOHN’S . 

PLOW, ROBESON . 

PRICETOWN, ST. JOHN'S . 

READING, ALSACE . 

CHRIST, GLENSIDE . 

FAITH, MT. PENN . 

GRACE . 

HOLY SPIRIT . 

HOPE . 

ST. JAMES’ . 

ST. JOHANNES . 

ST. LUKE'S . 

ST. MARK'S . 

ST. MATTHEWS . 

ST. PAUL’S . 

ST. PETER’S . 

TRINITY . 

REHRERSBURG, TRINITY . 

SKETCH OF . 

READING, MAP OF... . 

RECORDS, CHURCH ... 


... 149 
. . . 319 
. • • 1 53 
... 317 
• . . 296 
. . . 161 
. . . 441 
. . . 134 
. . . 358 
... 167 
. . . 389 
. • • 389 
. . . 388 
. . . 389 
. . . 61 
. . . 114 
. . . 107 
. . . 116 
. . . Ill 
. . . 87 

. . . 315 
. . 99 

. . . 231 
. . 220 

. . . 49 

. . . 457 

. . . 33 

390-440 
... 379 
. . 172 
. . . 375 
. . 253 
. . . 55 

. . 35 

. . 367 
. . 167 
. . 175 
. . 179 
. . 182 
. . 191 
. . 196 
. . 201 
. . 207 
. . 361 
222 
. . 365 
. . 224 

. . 293 
. . 11 

. . 10 
. . 488 


501 






























































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 


RED CHURCH, ALBANY TWP. 

REDEEMER, OAKBROOK . 

REED’S ZION . 

REFORMATION, JUBILEE . 

REHRERSBURG, ALTALAHA . 

TRINITY . 

RIVERSIDE, PEACE . 

ROBESON, PLOW . 

ROBESONIA, TRINITY . 

^ ST. DANIEL’S CORNER CHURCH_ 

ST. ELIAS . 

ST. JAMES’, GEIGERS’ MILLS. 

ST. JAMES’, READING . 

ST. JOHANNES . 

ST. JOHN’S, BOYERTOWN . 

GERNANT’S . 

GIBRALTAR . 

HAMBURG . 

HOST . 

KUTZTOWN . 

JVIOHNTON . 

PLEASANTVILLE . 

PRICETOWN . 

MT. AETNA • •. 

SINKING SPRING . 

ST. JOSEPH’S, PIKE TOWNSHIP_ 

ST. LAWRENCE S. S. CHAPEL _ 

ST. LUKE’S, READING .. 

SHOEMAKER SVILLE _ 

ST. MARK’S, BIRDSBORO . 

READING . 

ST. MATTHEW’S, READING. 

ST. MICHAEL’S, TILDEN TOWNSHIP 
ST. PAUL’S, AMITYVILLE . 

CHAPEL, FLEETWOOD . 
FLEETWOOD . 

LOBACHSYILLE . 

LYONS .. 

MERTZTOWN . 

MILLBAC’H . 

READING . 

SMOKE . 

STRAUSSTOWN . 

TULPEHOCKEN . 

ST. PETER’S, BECKER’S . 

READING . 

ST. THOMAS’ . 

ST. TIMOTHY'S . 

SALEM, BELLEMAN’S . 


_ 355 

. ... 231 
. . . . 209 
482-483 

... 312 
... 293 

. . . 172 
... 253 
... 339 
... 333 ^ 
... 315 
. . . 68 
. . . 191 
... 196 
. . . 91 

. • • 139 
•.. 257. 

121 


337 
126 
161 
37 5 
55 
358 
279 
184 
246 
201 
261 
64 
207 
361 
106 
41 

328 

325 

189 

373 

153 

317 

222 

271 

371 

303 

156 

365 

378 

376 

100 

296 

247 


MILLERSBURG 
SHALTER’S . . 


502 






























































LUTHERANS IN BERKS COUNTY 

SCHAEFFERSTOWX, ST. PAUL’S . 303 

SCHOOL CODE .• • 492 

SCHULZE, FAREWELL TO MISSIONARY . 494 

SCHWARZ WALD .. 2 41 

SIIALTER’S, SALEM . 247 

SHARTLESVILLE, FRIEDEN’S . 291 

SHILLINGTON, GRACE . 250 

SHOEMAKERSVILLE, ST. LUKE’S . 261 

SIEGFRIED’S, MAXATAWNY . ,149 

SINKING SPRING, ST. JOHN’S . 279 

SPIES’, ZION . 216 

SMOKE, ST. PAUL’S . 271 

STONY CREEK MILLS, BETHANY . 369 

STOUCHSBURG, CHRIST . 305 

REED’S . 209 

STRAUSSTOWN, ST. PAUL’S . 371 

ZION . 286 

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHAPEL, ST. LAWRENCE . 246 

SUNDAY SCHOOLS . 471 

TOPTON, TRINITY . 329 

TRINITY, BECHTELSVILLE .• • 59 

BOWERS . 71 

GOUGLERSTILLE . 165 

KUTZTOWN . 132 

LEESPORT .•.. 136 

READING . 224 

REHRERSBURG . 293 

ROBESONIA . 339 

TOPTON .• •. 329 

WERNERSVILLE . 283 

TULPEHOCKEN CONFUSION . 446 

TULPEHOCIvEN, ST. PAUL’S . 303 

WEISER . 16 

WERNERSVILLE, TRINITY . 283 

WEST READING, BETHANY . 234 

WHITE CHURCH, FRIEDEN’S . 116 

WICKLEIN’S, ROBESON TOWNSHIP. 445 

WINDSOR CASTLE, ZION’S' . 265 

WOMELSDORF, ZION . 342 

WOMEN’S MISSIONARY SOCIETY . 475 

WYOMISSING, ATONEMENT . 348 

YOCUM’S, CHRIST . 238 

ZIEGEL’S, LENHARTSVILLE . 275 

ZION OR ZION’S, MAXATAWNY . 149 

MOSELEM . 134 

REED'S . 209 

SPIES’ . 216 

STRAUSSTOWN . 286 

WINDSOR CASTLE . 265 

WOMELSDORF . 342 


503 



















































































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